Post-mortem Tissue Donation

Bone and soft tissue can be donated after death, i.e. post-mortem. However, according to the provisions of the Transplantation Act § 3 and § 4, the removal of tissue is only permitted with the donor's consent.

If the deceased did not give written consent or object to the donation, it is only permitted if the next of kin confirms the deceased’s presumed will to donate in an informed consent discussion with the doctor.

In case of post-mortem donations, tissue removal is only permitted within a certain time frame after death has been determined. This time frame is up to 48 hours for musculoskeletal donations (bones, tendons, ligaments, menisci, fascia, skin), from which the DIZG produces human tissue transplants.

The body of the deceased must also be cooled within six hours (removal interval without cooling: twelve hours).

Why are tissue donations so important?

The demand for human transplants far exceeds their availability. They are needed for all surgical procedures to restore tissue damage caused by disease or injury. This not only improves the health of those affected but also significantly increases their quality of life.

Where does the DIZG obtain post-mortem donated tissue from?

The DIZG does not have its own collection team. Instead, it works together with partners:

throughout Germany,
throughout Europe and
in the USA.

All tissue donations from which the DIZG produces human tissue transplants are collected by specially trained collection teams under the direction of a doctor. These collection teams are non-profit organizations that have worked hard to establish a close working relationship with the clinics. The DIZG’s Tissue Donation Department works closely with these teams as well. Collection is carried out under very strict hygienic conditions to ensure that the tissue is not contaminated with germs.

DIZG
- About us
  The non-profit German Institute for Cell and Tissue Replacement (DIZG) is a pharmaceutical manufacturer based in Berlin and is one of the largest pharmaceutical and biotechnological non-profit organizations of its kind in Europe.
- Research & Development
  Optimizing transplant properties, adapting them to ever-changing clinical requirements, identifying new surgical applications for existing transplant types, and developing new transplants are what drive the Research & Development (R&D) team.
- Safety & Quality
  In Germany, human cell and tissue transplants of human origin are regulated as medicinal products and/or require approval. This means that their production, biological safety, and clinical application are subject to oversight by German authorities. In DIZG's cleanrooms, all regulatory requirements are strictly followed.
- Facility 2026
  The DIZG is investing in a new production facility for allogeneic devitalized tissue preparations to ensure safe patient care.
  From the groundbreaking in 2021 to the topping-out ceremony and beyond – discover the progress here.
- Press
  Here you can download interesting facts about DIZG, press releases, published interviews, literature as well as company images and logos.
- News
  Here you will find our news and the event overview.
Tissue donation
- All About Tissue Donation
  The tissue donations received by the DIZG originate from a living person or are collected post-mortem, i.e. after death. Under sections 3 and 4 of the German Transplantation Act, tissue removal, like organ removal, is only permitted with the consent of the donor or the relatives of the deceased.
- Living Tissue Donation
  The Tissue Donation department works closely with national and international collection facilities as well as with clinics that participate in living donation programmes. Together they ensure that human transplants are available for upcoming operations.
- Post mortem Tissue Donation
  Bone and soft tissue can be donated after death, i.e. post-mortem. However, according to the provisions of the Transplantation Act § 3 and § 4, the removal of tissue is only permitted with the donor's consent.
- Become a donor clinic
  The demand for safe human tissue transplants exceeds the supply. The more clinics participate in the DIZG donation programme, the more patients can be supplied with human transplants throughout Germany and Europe. This is why it makes sense to expand the tissue donation programme across the board.
  Since its foundation, around 868,000 transplants have been manufactured infection-free.
Allografts
- Application Areas
  We support doctors* and surgeons in their day-to-day clinical challenges with our versatile human allografts in form of tendons, menisci, bones and much more.
  Since its foundation, around 868,000 transplants have been manufactured infection-free.
- Allograft Portfolio
  The DIZG's transplant portfolio already includes 230 innovative human transplant forms for widespread clinical provision. Discover our comprehensive range!
- Meniscus Matching
  The DIZG is the only provider in Germany that offers meniscus matching to find a suitable meniscus transplant.
Cell Cultures
- Cell Culture: Areas of Application
  Autologous keratinocyte transplants are often an indispensable treatment method for extensive skin wounds and severe grade 2b and 3 burns. For more than 20 years, the DIZG has been the only institution in Germany to produce these in the form of sheets of human keratinocytes and a suspension of human keratinocytes.
- Cell Culture Manufacturing Process
  Our autologous cell cultures are produced to the highest standards in the highest possible cleanroom class A. The cultivation and provision of keratinocytes are subject to strict regulatory requirements, which require the DIZG to maintain a separate cleanroom area just for them.
- Cell Culture Service
  We offer you a comprehensive service for our autologous cell cultures, starting long before the transplantation. We also assist burn clinics in meeting regulatory requirements.

Post-mortem Tissue Donation

What is post-mortem tissue donation?

Why are tissue donations so important?

Where does the DIZG obtain post-mortem donated tissue from?

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