Scientific Project Panel (SPP)

The SPP is composed of a scientist nominated by each of the funding organizations and by each of the two Eastern European countries concerned. The SPP meets annually.

The SPP is responsible for:

1. Coordination of the scientific activities linked to the CTB and recommendations on tissues to be included.

2. Development and implementation of protocols for tissue and blood sample collection, extraction and storage by NIS countries on the advice of the Pathology and Blood Panels

3. Establishment of nucleic acid extraction facilities in the Eastern European institutes concerned after provision of appropriate training and equipment

4.  Establishment and supervision of a Pathology Panel to advise on internationally agreed diagnosis for research purposes including representatives of each of the Eastern European countries

5 . Nomination of members of and supervision of a Blood Panel to advise on blood samples, separation and storage for research purposes .

6. Preparation of annual reports on the activity of the Scientific Project Panel for the Collaborative Management Committee.

7.  All requests for the use of tissue or nucleic acid from the CTB will be initially referred to the ERP. Consideration will also be given by the SPP who will specifically consider the availability of resources to meet the request. Where a project being considered involves one of the members of the scientific project panel, or a colleague from his/her Institute, that member will recuse him/herself during the discussions

Two subcommittees of the SPP oversee specialist areas of the project

The Pathology Panel
This panel comprises members nominated by each of the Eastern European governments and the sponsoring organisations . It meets every six months to review histological material and to assign a consensus diagnosis for each specimen housed in the CTB. The Pathology Panel also review cases of thyroid cancer and benign disease from patients enrolled in the NCI sponsored Epidemiological studies.

The Bioinformatics Panel
The CTB is responsible for the collation of details of the cases enrolled in the study and of the data generated from research studies using the material. In order to make data from the study more widely available and to permit secondary research on the data generated, the management of the CTB has recently agreed to the development of a bioinformatics section of the project. A Panel of international experts in Bioinformatics has recently been appointed to assist the Coordinating Centre in the development of this aspect of the project.