Tissue Donation 101: The Different Types Commonly Requested in Research Studies

When people hear the term "tissue donation," they often think of organ donation after death. But in medical research, tissue donation can mean many different things.

From a simple blood sample to a small skin biopsy, donated tissues help researchers better understand diseases, develop new medicines, and improve treatments for future patients.

If you're considering taking part in research, here's a guide to the different types of tissue donation that you may be asked to provide and how they can be used in studies.

What Is Tissue Donation?

Tissue donation for research means providing a sample of your blood, bodily secretions, cells, or tissue so that scientists can understand how the human body functions in both health and disease.

Researchers use donated tissues to:

• Understand how diseases develop
• Identify new drug targets
• Test potential treatments
• Study how different people respond to medicines
• Develop more personalised healthcare approaches

Every donation contributes valuable information that cannot always be replicated in a laboratory.

Blood Donation

Blood donation is one of the most common types of research participation.

A small blood sample can provide researchers with a wealth of information about the immune system, genetics, biomarkers, and disease activity.

Blood samples may be used to:

• Study immune cells
• Measure proteins and biomarkers
• Investigate genetic factors
• Monitor how treatments affect the body

Many research studies only require a blood sample and involve no additional procedures. Others may request a blood sample alongside another type of tissue donation, or collect follow-up blood samples over time, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a disease or how the body responds to treatment.

Skin Donation

Researchers often use small skin samples to study conditions that affect the skin itself, such as psoriasis or eczema, but skin tissue can also provide insights into inflammation, wound healing, and immune responses.

Skin donations are typically collected through a minor procedure called a skin biopsy, in which a small piece of tissue is removed under local anaesthetic. Depending on the size of the sample, a small stitch may be needed after the procedure. Like blood donation, some research studies require only a single skin biopsy, while others may request additional tissue samples over time to support ongoing research.

Scientists may use donated skin to:

• Study disease mechanisms
• Test new treatments
• Evaluate drug safety
• Develop laboratory models of disease

Donation of Bodily Secretions

Not all research samples come from blood or tissue. Bodily secretions and waste products can also provide valuable information about human health and disease.

Examples include:

• Urine

• Stool (fecal) samples

• Saliva

• Tears

• Nasal secretions

• Sputum (mucus from the lungs)

Cell Donations

Once a blood, tissue, or biological sample has been donated for research, scientists can process it to isolate specific cell types for further study.

For example, immune cells can be isolated from donated blood samples, while cells can also be collected directly through minimally invasive procedures such as nasal, throat, skin, or vaginal swabs and scrapings.

These cells help researchers:

• Understand how the immune system responds to disease and treatment

• Investigate the mechanisms behind inflammatory and autoimmune conditions

• Develop and evaluate new cell-based therapies

• Predict how different patients may respond to potential treatments

By studying cells obtained from donated samples, researchers can gain valuable insights into human biology while working with materials that closely reflect real patient responses.

Tissue Samples from Medical Procedures

Sometimes tissue that would otherwise be discarded during routine medical procedures can be donated for research.

Examples include tissue collected during:

With the donor's consent, these samples can be collected during the procedure, allowing researchers to study diseases and assess potential therapies without the need for additional procedures.

Which Types of Donations Are Used in Clinical Research?

The type of donation required depends on the goals of the study.

Healthy Volunteer Studies

Healthy volunteers often donate:

• Blood samples
• Saliva samples
• Skin samples
• Urine samples

These donations help researchers understand how the body functions under healthy conditions and provide important reference data for comparison.

Disease-Focused Studies

People living with specific health conditions may be asked to donate:

• Blood samples
• Skin biopsies
• Tissue collected during medical procedures
• Other disease-relevant samples

By providing insight into disease processes, these donations help researchers identify potential new approaches to treatment and disease management.

Drug Discovery Research

In early-stage drug discovery, donated tissues can be used to:

• Test how potential medicines affect human cells
• Study drug responses
• Investigate mechanisms of action
• Identify potential safety concerns before clinical trials begin

The insights gained from this type of research can help identify the most promising treatments for patients, improving the chances of success in the later drug development stages.

Is Tissue Donation Safe?

Any research study involving tissue donation must be reviewed and approved by an ethics committee and follow strict regulations and codes of practice that are designed to protect participants. Every effort will be taken by the research team to minimise risk and ensure your safety.

Before taking part, you will receive information about:

• What sample will be collected
• How it will be used
• Any potential risks
• Your rights as a participant

Participation is always voluntary, and you can decide whether a study is right for you.

Why Tissue Donation Matters

Many of today's medicines were developed using insights gained from donated human tissues.

Whether it's a blood sample from a healthy volunteer or tissue donated by someone living with a disease, every contribution helps researchers answer important scientific questions and move medical innovation forward.

By participating in research, donors play a direct role in helping scientists develop better treatments and improve healthcare for future generations.

Interested in Taking Part?

The ReproRegistry connects volunteers with research opportunities that may involve different types of tissue donation. By joining the registry, you'll learn about studies that match your interests and eligibility, helping advance medical research while contributing to the development of future therapies.