The Cooperative Human Tissue Network – Western Division at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is one of six institutions apart of the network funded by the National Cancer Institute to procure and distribute remnant human tissues and fluids to biomedical researchers throughout the United States, Canada and now internationally.

The Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN) operates through a shared networking system which allows investigators greater access to available research specimens. The CHTN offers a variety of preparation and preservation techniques to ensure investigators are receiving the quality specimens needed for research. Remnant tissues are obtained from surgical resections and autopsies and are procured to the specifications of the investigator.