Central Biorepository

The Central Biorepository (CBR) facilitates discovery and improves healthcare outcomes by providing high-quality, highly annotated biospecimens donated for basic, clinical, and translational research.

Make an Appointment
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Photo depicting the CBR biorepository. Containing liquid nitrogen storage tanks and other cold storage.
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Take a Virtual Tour!

Learn more about the U-M Medical School Central Biorepository by taking a virtual tour of the facility. Get details on the CBR process and information about equipment and services available to study teams.

How we Serve Your Biobanking Needs

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Access Biospecimens

The Central Biorepository enables access to an array of sample types from participants enrolled in a variety of research studies.

Learn More About Accessing Biospecimens
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Biobanking

With collection support and biostorage management, the Central Biorepository is a world-class enterprise resource for U-M researchers and beyond.

Learn More About Biobanking
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Biospecimen Processing

The Central Biorepository offers a variety of biospecimen processing services and creates sample collection kits in support of biomedical research programs.

Learn More About Biospecimen Processing
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Equipment & Instrumentation

The Central Biorepository uses specialized equipment and laboratory robotics to safely store and automate biospecimen processing.

Learn More About Equipment & Instrumentation

Through the Central Biorepository, our world-class U-M faculty researchers have access to high-quality, highly annotated biospecimens that are safely stored and processed.

Victoria Blanc, PhD
Director, Central Biorepository
Photo of Victoria Blanc, PhD

CBR FY25 At a Glance

865,000+
Biospecimens Stored
47
Research Studies
26,200+
Samples Distributed

How the CBR can Benefit Your Research

Contact Us

Central Biorepository
Medical School Office of Research
North Campus Research Complex, Building 60-1661
2800 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Hours of Operation: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday

Want to provide feedback? Click here to access a brief survey about your CBR service. 

Phone Number: 734-647-8809
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We're Accredited – The Central Biorepository is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Biorepository Accreditation Program.

Upcoming Research Events

All Office of Research Events

The Funding Forum

Join the Grant Services and Analysis Research Development (RD) team on Zoom every third Thursday at 2:00 pm for the Funding Forum – a 60-minute session designed to help UMMS faculty gain an advantage in grant seeking and proposal development.
Event runs May 21, 2026 - December 17, 2026
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Researchpalooza

Join exhibitors from labs and offices of the Medical School and across campus for this annual event showcasing the services provided to research faculty, staff, and students.
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The Funding Forum

Join the Grant Services and Analysis Research Development (RD) team on Zoom every third Thursday at 2:00 pm for the Funding Forum – a 60-minute session designed to help UMMS faculty gain an advantage in grant seeking and proposal development.
Event runs May 21, 2026 - December 17, 2026
A person sits at a laptop at BSRB.

Dean's Lecture Symposium

The Dean's Lecture Symposium will offer a day of panel sessions, a poster session, and keynote speaker Sean Morrison from UT-Southwestern.
stem cells

The Funding Forum

Join the Grant Services and Analysis Research Development (RD) team on Zoom every third Thursday at 2:00 pm for the Funding Forum – a 60-minute session designed to help UMMS faculty gain an advantage in grant seeking and proposal development.
Event runs May 21, 2026 - December 17, 2026
A person sits at a laptop at BSRB.

The Funding Forum

Join the Grant Services and Analysis Research Development (RD) team on Zoom every third Thursday at 2:00 pm for the Funding Forum – a 60-minute session designed to help UMMS faculty gain an advantage in grant seeking and proposal development.
Event runs May 21, 2026 - December 17, 2026
A person sits at a laptop at BSRB.

The Funding Forum

Join the Grant Services and Analysis Research Development (RD) team on Zoom every third Thursday at 2:00 pm for the Funding Forum – a 60-minute session designed to help UMMS faculty gain an advantage in grant seeking and proposal development.
Event runs May 21, 2026 - December 17, 2026
A person sits at a laptop at BSRB.

Featured Research News

All Office of Research News
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Office of Research

New Research Team Collaboration Agreement Template

The Office of Regulatory Affairs has developed a Research Team Collaboration Agreement, a template to help teams establish and maintain clear communication through the project lifecycle.
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Office of Research

New Requirement for Dual Appointment VA Faculty Serving as PIs on U-M Sponsored Projects

Veterans Administration (VA) and University of Michigan dual-appointed faculty proposing research through U-M often plan to use resources (space, staff, subject pools, equipment, etc) at the VA. In these circumstances, the national VA requires that a Federal Conflict of Interest (FCOI) waiver be received BEFORE the application is submitted (18 U.S.C. §208). To support the VA in achieving compliance, Michigan Medicine is implementing a review of disclosure prior to U-M submission. Beginning July 1, 2026, all VA–U-M dual-appointed faculty serving as a PI and using resources that require VA regulatory approval must obtain an FCOI waiver through the VA before submitting the grant through U-M.
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Office of Research

Ordering from the BRCF Research Store Is Now Easier

On Monday, July 6, the BRCF Research Store will implement a new e-commerce platform, making it much easier to purchase and track biomedical research supply orders. A new invoice format begins on Monday, June 29.