The Ethitex Tissue Sharing Database is a 100% Internet-based solution.

Ethitex includes:

• Researcher registration.
  The ability for an institution to register any number of individual researchers so that they can each use Ethitex.
   
• Project registration.
  The ability for researchers to register their projects in Ethitex so that they have a reference to the resources they intend to publish.
   
• Publication of resource availability.
  The ability for researchers to publish details of the resources (tissue) that will not be consumed by their research – including the dates of availability.
   
• Search facility – free form.
  The ability for researchers to search for resources that they require, prior to arranging for the use of live animals.
   
• Wish list.
  The ability for researchers to request notification from Ethitex when a suitable resource is made available through publication by another researcher.
   
• Request placement.
  The ability to request use of another researcher’s surplus resources.
   
• Request processing.
  The ability to receive requests for use of surplus resources from other researchers. Resource owners will have absolute discretion in the allocation of resources to requests.
  
  Many factors will determine whether tissue from one project will be suitable for use in another. This will require direct negotiation between the resource owner and resource seeker. Ethitex incorporates an anonymous messaging facility that will preserve the resource owner's anonymity until he/she chooses to reveal his/her identity to the resource seeker. 
   
• Statistical reporting.
  The ability to produce statistics on the amount of use made of Ethitex and the success in resource sharing.
   
• Comprehensive security.
  This will prevent unauthorised persons from using Ethitex and will preserve the confidentiality of researcher’s projects from other researchers within Ethitex.