The National Disease Research Interchange - NDRI

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The National Disease Research Interchange - NDRI

The National Disease Research Interchange (NDRI) is a Philadelphia based 501 (c) (3) non-profit, NIH-
(1)

11/19/2025

Researchers are developing a gene therapy that helps prevent heart failure by restoring calcium balance inside its cells. Using generously donated human heart tissue, sourced by NDRI, a Phase 1study has confirmed the safety and feasibility of the treatment, bringing us closer to new treatments for heart failure.

11/06/2025

Humans have a vestigial third eyelid called the plica semilunaris, a small, half-moon fold of tissue in the inner corner of the eye. It’s a remnant of a full, functioning nictitating membrane found in many other animals, which helps protect and clean the eye. Cool, right? 👁️

10/30/2025

Today we honor Daniel Nathans, the pioneering microbiologist who helped launch modern biotechnology. In 1978, Nathans shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering restriction enzymes, the molecular “scissors” that cut DNA at precise sites and enabled restriction mapping. His work laid the foundation for genetic engineering, recombinant DNA technology, genome sequencing, and many tools used in biomedical research today.

10/17/2025

Continuing on our October Breast Cancer Awareness series, this week we're shining a light on male breast cancer. Everyone has breast tissue, which means men can get breast cancer too. While it's rare, accounting for approximately 1% of all U.S. breast cancer diagnoses, men often face a higher mortality rate largely because of later detection. Early awareness saves lives.

10/02/2025

For people living with HIV, today’s medicines are remarkably effective. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can reduce the amount of virus in the blood to undetectable levels, restoring immune health and preventing transmission. But ART is not a cure, and when treatment stops the virus returns quickly. A new study, using NDRI-sourced tissue donations, helps explain why. Read story: https://hubs.la/Q03L_Hsb0

10/01/2025

Today marks the beginning of World Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. In 2022, 2.3 million women were diagnosed, and 670,000 lost their lives.

At NDRI, we honor those affected and the researchers, clinicians, and donors driving progress. Organ and tissue donation plays a vital role in advancing discovery.

Research saves lives. Together, we can make a difference.

09/22/2025

You can register as an organ, eye, or tissue donor in minutes through your iPhone’s Health app with Donate Life America. One small step today could save multiple lives tomorrow.

09/18/2025

Jim Dunn, diagnosed with HIV in 2003, survived multiple cancers and lived more than two decades beyond expectations. Before his death, he joined UC San Diego’s Last Gift Study, a pioneering program conducting rapid autopsies to identify where HIV persists in the body, a key step toward developing a cure. As Dunn said, “I just want to pay back. If people hadn’t stepped up prior to me, HIV would be a death sentence.” His generosity reflects the willingness of many people living with HIV to go the extra mile to contribute to a cure, even after they have passed.

09/17/2025

We're excited to announce that Maya Mason has officially joined us in her new full-time role as Scientific Services Coordinator. Maya previously worked with NDRI as our Researcher Analyst Intern for 1.5 years while completing her Bachelor of Science in Biology at Drexel University. Welcome, Maya, and congratulations on graduating!

08/22/2025

Brain donation is not part of organ donation. What? It’s true – separate arrangements must be made. But here’s something else most people don’t know: fewer than 1% of people die in a way that makes their organs eligible for transplant. That means—even if you’re registered as an organ donor—there’s a good chance your organs won’t be used.
But here’s the good news: you can register to do both.
✅ If your organs can save a life, that comes first.
🧠 Your brain can be donated to research—advancing science for conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, mental illness, and more.
Make both choices. Learn more https://braindonorproject.org/wait-what-brain-donation-is-not-a-part-of-organ-donation/

08/19/2025

Thank you to registered donors, organ, eye and tissue donors, living donors, and donor families – your lifesaving generosity makes more first days of school possible! 🍎💻📚 Share your photos with us in the comments! 💙💚

Address

Three Parkway, 1601 Cherry Street, Suite 1700
Philadelphia, PA
19103

Telephone

+12155577361

Website

http://www.ndriresource.org/

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NDRI’s History

Founded in 1980 by Lee Ducat, the National Disease Research Interchange (NDRI) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that provides human biospecimens to scientists in academic, corporate and independent research organizations throughout the world. We serve as a Human Tissue and Organ for Research Resource (HTORR). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has supported our work for more than 30 consecutive years. Our unparalleled tissue recovery network includes some 130 partners comprised of organ procurement organizations, eye banks, tissue banks and hospitals, and our biorepository facility is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Utilizing the expertise of NDRI staff and that of our recovery partners, we provide anatomical structures, organs, and tissues with annotated data to support research across the full spectrum of disease and disability.