About INRL

Our laboratory is a central hub for resources related to neuropathology research and education and serves as the brain bank for the University of Iowa. We provide collaborators with access to donated human brain tissue, as well as the services needed to stain and analyze the tissue to answer their questions regarding diseases affecting the brain and spinal cord. We also offer consultations on projects requiring neuropathology expertise.

Collaborate

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Illustration of the outline of the state of Iowa with a heart in the spot where Iowa City is.

Donor Information

Brain donation is an extraordinary gift that allows researchers to better understand the ways in which diseases develop and confirm important findings discovered in other model systems.

As long as you are an active patient of a doctor at the University of Iowa Health Care (UIHC), we can accept your brain donation free of charge.

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Collaboration

We offer comprehensive neuropathology resources including:

  • Tissue Services
  • Histology Services
  • Consultation Services

 

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Outreach

Our commitment to education is showcased through our outreach endeavors, where we provide hands-on experiences directly to the community to ensure equal access to scientific learning. We also develop easily accessible resources, offering downloadable materials customized for middle and high school students at no cost.

News and events

Hannah standing near her research poster

Hannah Williamsen attends annual Research in the Capitol Event

On March 31, 2025, our undergraduate student Hannah Williamsen attended the annual Research in the Capitol event at the Iowa State Capitol. Hannah was one of twenty University of Iowa undergraduates selected to share her work with legislators, presenting her poster titled "Incidence of Early Neurodegenerative Disease Pathology in a Forensic Cohort."
Three people smiling behind the table at the INRL exhibit

INRL exhibit at the 2024 Society for Neuroscience Conference

The Iowa Neuropathology Resource Laboratory had the opportunity to exhibit for the first time at the 2024 Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Conference, held October 5–9 in Chicago, IL.
Members of INRL standing near the AAIC logo status

INRL presents at the 2024 Alzheimer's Association International Conference

The Iowa Neuropathology Resource Lab was proud to have student representation at the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) from July 28–August 1 in Philadelphia, PA.
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Acknowledgments

The INRL would like to thank and recognize the generosity of our donors and their families, as this research is only possible due to their support and willingness to donate. We also wish to thank the National Institutes of Health, the US Department of Defense, the Iowa Neuroscience Institute, the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust, and the Williams-Cannon Foundation for their generous financial endorsement. The INRL is part of the Department of Pathology, whose support is essential for our operation.