The Hematopoietic Stem Cell Collection and Processing Facility (HSCCP) provides both stem cell collection and processing services for all the adult and pediatric transplant patients at UAB and TCHA.

Dr. Arabella B. Tilden is the technical director of the facility along with Mary Patton (facility supervisor), Tonya Jefferson and Tonya Medlock (clinical technologists). Dr. William P. Vaughan is the medical director and Dr. Alan Ship (pediatrics) and Dr. Richard Lopez (adults) are associate medical directors.

Blood stem cell collections are done by leukapheresis using the COBE SPECTRA. These procedures are performed in the outpatient areas of the adult and pediatric transplant units. The adult unit has two COBE SPECTRAs and the pediatric unit has one. A typical leukapheresis procedure takes from four to six hours. The number of leukapheresis required to collect an adequate stem cell product varies among patients and donors but is generally one to three. When stem cells are collected from bone marrow, the bone marrow harvest is performed in the operating room by the transplant physicians and nurse practitioners.

Most standard processing procedures are performed in the facility. Autologous products are cryopreserved and stored in liquid nitrogen until ready for use. Allogeneic products are processed in a variety of ways depending upon the requirements. These include plasma and red cell depletions for ABO incompatible products, T cell depletion and CD 34+ cell selection. All products are routinely tested for sterility and CD 34+ cell content. Colony forming unit assays are performed when requested.

The facility is fully equipped with the required processing instrumentation. The facility has a controlled rate freeze down apparatus and liquid nitrogen storage tanks for cryopreservation. A COBE 2991; is used for buffy coat preparation and cell washes. A Nexell Isolex 300i; is used for CD34+ cell selection. In addition the facility has standard lab equipment including; microscopes, centrifuges, a cell counter and biological safety cabinets.


The facility has accreditation by both FACT and JCAHO.