Standardized operational protocol for the Fetal Brain Tissue Bank in China

doi:10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2026.06.010

PDF(959 KB)

Acta Anatomica Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (5) : 583-590. DOI: 10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2026.06.010

Neurbiology

Standardized operational protocol for the Fetal Brain Tissue Bank in China

ZHU Ke-qing¹, HU Yu-ting^1,2, WANG Xiao-xi³, ZHAO Hang⁴, ZHAO Ya-ming⁴, FANG Zheng¹, LIU Cui-yun¹, JIANG Pei-ran¹, LIU Jian-xin¹, WU Juan-li¹, SUN Bing¹, BAO Ai-min^1,5, SHEN Yi^1,5, QIU Wen-ying⁶, QIAN Xiao-Jing⁶, MA Chao⁶, LIU Hai-yan^4*, ZHANG Jing^1,3*

#br#

Author information +

History +

Abstract

Research on fetal brain tissue holds immense significance for neuroscience and disease mechanisms, as its developmental processes form the cornerstone for understanding brain development and its abnormalities. The formulation of a standardized operational protocol for China’s Fetal Brain Tissue Bank is urgently needed, as it can fill the gaps in the domestic relevant standardized system, support basic research and clinical exploration, and assist in addressing challenges related to ethics and sample quality. The establishment of this protocol aims to ensure operational consistency, minimize experimental deviations, provide reliable samples for disease research, and enhance international competitiveness. By integrating the practical experience of multiple domestic brain banks, this standardized operational protocol summarizes the objective of fetal brain tissue bank collection, proposes the legal basis and ethical considerations for fetal collection, outlines the content of clinical data collection and the procedures for fetal brain tissue sampling, briefly describes pathological diagnosis norms, and details the preservation and management of information related to fetal brain tissue. Additionally, it innovatively introduces postmortem fetal brain ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology. The protocol aims to establish unified and standardized criteria, strengthen the collection, processing, and sharing of samples, and promote the advancement of brain science research.

Key words

China / Human Brain Tissue Bank / Neuroscience / Standardized operation / Fetus

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

ZHU Ke-qing, HU Yu-ting, WANG Xiao-xi, ZHAO Hang, ZHAO Ya-ming, FANG Zheng, LIU Cui-yun, JIANG Pei-ran1, LIU Jian-xin1, WU Juan-li1, SUN Bing1, BAO Ai-min, SHEN Yi, QIU Wen-ying, QIAN Xiao-Jing, MA Chao, LIU Hai-yan, ZHANG Jing. Standardized operational protocol for the Fetal Brain Tissue Bank in China[J]. Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2026, 57(5): 583-590 https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2026.06.010

References

［1］Abbott A. Tissue-bank shortage: brain child［J］. Nature, 2011, 478(7370): 442-443.

［2］Stiles J, Jernigan TL. The basics of brain development［J］. Neuropsychol Rev, 2010, 20(4): 327-348.

［3］Sanai N, Nguyen T, Ihrie RA, et al. Corridors of migrating neurons in the human brain and their decline during infancy ［J］. Nature, 2011, 478(7369): 382-386.

［4］Wang X, Chen Zh, Wu JL, et al. Standardized operational protocol for the China Human Brain Bank Consortium (2nd edition) ［J］. Acta Anatomica Sinica, 2024, 55(6): 734-745.(in Chinese)

王雪，陈震，吴娟利，等. 中国人脑组织库协作联盟标准化操作方案第2版［J］. 解剖学报, 2024, 55(6): 734-745.

［5］Chen R, Tian C, Zhu K, et al. Ex vivo magnetic tesonance imaging of the human fetal brain ［J］. Dev Neurosci, 2025, 47(5): 400-417.

［6］Adle-Biassette H, Harding BN, Golden J. Developmental Neuropathology［M］. 2nd ed. New Jersey, USA: John Wiley and Sons, Ltd., 2018.

［7］Vajsar J, Schachter H. Walker-Warburg syndrome ［J］. Orphanet JRare Dis, 2006, 1: 29.

［8］Hartill V, Szymanska K, Sharif SM, et al. Meckel-Gruber syndrome: an update on diagnosis, clinical management, and research advances［J］. FrontPediatr, 2017, 5: 244.

［9］Paz Levy D, Wainstock T, Sheiner E, et al. Maternal recurrent pregnancy loss is associated with an increased risk for long-term neurological morbidity in offspring［J］. Dev Med Child Neurol, 2019, 61(1): 91-97.

［10］Beacom MJ, Gunn AJ, Bennet L. Preterm brain injury: mechanisms and challenges［J］. AnnuRev Physiol, 2025, 87(1): 79-106.

［11］Fitzgerald E, Parent C, Kee MZL, et al. Maternal distress and offspring neurodevelopment: challenges and opportunities for pre-clinical research models［J］. Front Hum Neurosci, 2021, 15: 635304.

［12］Phelan JP, Kim JO. Fetal heart rate observations in the brain-damaged infant［J］. Semin Perinatol, 2000, 24(3): 221-229.

［13］Mohammad K, Meijler G, de Vries LS. Birth-related mechanical head injuries. In: Meijler G, Mohammad K (eds). Neonatal Brain Injury: An Illustrated Guide for Clinicians Counselling Parents and Caregivers［M］. Cham, Switzerland:Springer Nature Switzerland, 2024:159-170.

［14］Schroeder A, Mueller O, Stocker S, et al. The RIN: an RNA integrity number for assigning integrity values to RNA measurements［J］. BMC Mol Biol, 2006, 7: 3.