Tissue donation drives cancer research
By contributing your tumor tissue or fluid through a procedure, you make it possible for researchers to learn more about your disease. Researchers who collaborate with Pattern.org use donated tissue and fluids for several purposes, including but not limited to:
- Making a working copy of your cancer type that will continually grow in a laboratory. This copy is called a "model" and makes it easiest for researchers to study your cancer type and test new treatment ideas.
- Single-cell sequencing, which allows researchers to look closely at differences in gene expression between cells and to understand why certain cells function the way that they do, paving the way for better treatments.
Pattern Biobank
Example Uses
Study Description
The Pattern Biobank, an initiative of the Rare Cancer Research Foundation, stores and distributes a variety of human biological samples for use in research projects that have been vetted and approved by the Foundation. This biobank is an important resource which supports many types of innovative research initiatives including those involved with model generation, genomic sequencing and analysis, drug screening and personalized medicine studies.
Biobank staff will carefully process and store samples following a detailed set of policies to safeguard the biospecimens against contamination or loss and to protect participant confidentiality until the appropriate study is selected for individual sample use.
Cell line
A cell line or cell model is a population of cells that originally came from a patient’s tissue (or blood) and can be grown in the laboratory so researchers can study how the disease works and test new therapies.
Drug Discovery
Drug discovery is the process of finding, developing and/or testing new or existing medicines to treat specific diseases.
Sequencing
Sequencing is a laboratory method used to read the genetic instructions in a tumor (or a person’s cells) to find changes that may cause disease or help guide treatment. It’s like reading the letters in the body’s instruction manual to find typos that might cause disease. There are different types of sequencing some of which are described below.
DNA Sequencing reads the genetic code stored in DNA and it helps researchers find mutations in tumors, identify inherited genetic changes and understand what might be driving a disease.
RNA Sequencing reads RNA, which is the working copy of genetic instructions that cells use to make proteins. Researchers use RNA sequencing to learn which genes are turned on or off, how active certain genes are and how cells are behaving.
Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) reads the parts of DNA that contain the instructions for making proteins. Only about 1–2% of the genome contains these protein-coding instructions, but this is where many disease-causing mutations occur. Researchers use WES to learn about mutations in protein-coding genes, changes that may drive cancer or other diseases and targets that might be used for drug development.
In short:
DNA Sequencing looks at the DNA code and indicates what mutations exist
RNA Sequencing looks at gene activity and which genes are being used
Whole Exome Sequencing looks at protein-coding DNA and which mutations affect proteins
INSIGHT biobank
Example Uses
Study Description
The Insight Biobank for Ocular Melanoma, a non-profit, advocacy-led biorepository, exists to accelerate discovery, diagnosis, and therapeutic development for ocular melanoma by serving as a centralized, ethically governed, and patient-inclusive repository of biological specimens and associated data.
By collecting and securely storing donated tissue, blood, and clinical data, A Cure In Sight Foundation, in partnership with pattern.org , is building a foundation for breakthroughs in understanding, preventing, and treating this rare cancer. A key focus of the biobank will be to house biospecimens and also grow patient-derived cell line models to accelerate laboratory and translational research.
Through this collaboration, patients and families have the opportunity to directly contribute to lifesaving research. Every donation helps scientists uncover new insights into disease progression, identify novel therapies, and move closer to personalized treatment options.
The Insight Biobank ensures that samples are collected ethically, stored responsibly, and made available only to qualified researchers who are committed to advancing the fight against ocular melanoma.
Donations of tissue and data are turning patient generosity into discovery—bringing the Ocular Melanoma community one step closer to a cure.
Cell line
A cell line or cell model is a population of cells that originally came from a patient’s tissue (or blood) and can be grown in the laboratory so researchers can study how the disease works and test new therapies.
Drug Discovery
Drug discovery is the process of finding, developing and/or testing new or existing medicines to treat specific diseases.
Sequencing
Sequencing is a laboratory method used to read the genetic instructions in a tumor (or a person’s cells) to find changes that may cause disease or help guide treatment. It’s like reading the letters in the body’s instruction manual to find typos that might cause disease. There are different types of sequencing some of which are described below.
DNA Sequencing reads the genetic code stored in DNA and it helps researchers find mutations in tumors, identify inherited genetic changes and understand what might be driving a disease.
RNA Sequencing reads RNA, which is the working copy of genetic instructions that cells use to make proteins. Researchers use RNA sequencing to learn which genes are turned on or off, how active certain genes are and how cells are behaving.
Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) reads the parts of DNA that contain the instructions for making proteins. Only about 1–2% of the genome contains these protein-coding instructions, but this is where many disease-causing mutations occur. Researchers use WES to learn about mutations in protein-coding genes, changes that may drive cancer or other diseases and targets that might be used for drug development.
In short:
DNA Sequencing looks at the DNA code and indicates what mutations exist
RNA Sequencing looks at gene activity and which genes are being used
Whole Exome Sequencing looks at protein-coding DNA and which mutations affect proteins
Rare Cancer Data Initiative
Example Uses
Study Description
The Rare Cancer Data Initiative is a partnership between the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC), the Rare Cancer Research Foundation (RCRF), and the Alliance for Rare Cancers (ARC). Together, we are working to create new data from rare tumors that have not been well studied before.
In collaboration with Pattern.org, we are collecting donated tumor tissue and related clinical information. This helps researchers’ study different rare tumor types. By looking at your tumor’s DNA (genome), the messages your cells make (RNA), and the proteins in the tumor, scientists can better understand how rare cancers develop and behave. We may also create research models that help test new drugs and discover new treatment approaches.
There is very little data available for people with rare cancers. By donating tissue and clinical information, you can help researchers learn more about these diseases. The Rare Cancer Data Initiative aims to turn patient experiences into scientific insights that can drive real progress toward better treatments.
Cell line
A cell line or cell model is a population of cells that originally came from a patient’s tissue (or blood) and can be grown in the laboratory so researchers can study how the disease works and test new therapies.
Drug Discovery
Drug discovery is the process of finding, developing and/or testing new or existing medicines to treat specific diseases.
Sequencing
Sequencing is a laboratory method used to read the genetic instructions in a tumor (or a person’s cells) to find changes that may cause disease or help guide treatment. It’s like reading the letters in the body’s instruction manual to find typos that might cause disease. There are different types of sequencing some of which are described below.
DNA Sequencing reads the genetic code stored in DNA and it helps researchers find mutations in tumors, identify inherited genetic changes and understand what might be driving a disease.
RNA Sequencing reads RNA, which is the working copy of genetic instructions that cells use to make proteins. Researchers use RNA sequencing to learn which genes are turned on or off, how active certain genes are and how cells are behaving.
Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) reads the parts of DNA that contain the instructions for making proteins. Only about 1–2% of the genome contains these protein-coding instructions, but this is where many disease-causing mutations occur. Researchers use WES to learn about mutations in protein-coding genes, changes that may drive cancer or other diseases and targets that might be used for drug development.
In short:
DNA Sequencing looks at the DNA code and indicates what mutations exist
RNA Sequencing looks at gene activity and which genes are being used
Whole Exome Sequencing looks at protein-coding DNA and which mutations affect proteins
Some of RCRF's Current Partners
