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.

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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

The CBR is an enterprise-wide resource, serving all members of the University of Michigan community.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Equipment & Instrumentation

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

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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
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CBR FY24 At a Glance
799,000+
Biospecimens Stored
45
Research Studies
22,400+
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
Spatial Biology Imaging & Analysis Seminar
Join Leica Biosystems and the BRCF Microscopy Core to discover emerging technologies and workflows that leverage fluorescence multiplexing, AI, laser microdissection, and much more, to give greater spatial context to your tissue and cancer research. Refreshments will be served.
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Spatial and Single-Cell Seminar
Reveal intricate spatial patterns with accurate single-cell localization with Takara Bio USA and the BRCF Advanced Genomics Core. Enjoy free food, drinks, and giveaways!
assistant professors in a meeting at the NCRC Dining Hall
Revolutionizing Single-Cell Genomics
Join Illumina and the BRCF Advanced Genomics Core for a seminar that focuses on how to address industry challenges, including inflexible workflows, limited scalability, and high costs associated with instrumentation and consumables.
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Flow and Cookies at NCRC
Help yourself to a cookie and learn how the Flow Cytometry Core can enhance your research. Core experts will speak about services and instrumentation capabilities.
Event runs February 28, 2025 - April 25, 2025
Not Regulated, Secondary Use, and Umbrella Applications
This course will review the Not Regulated, Secondary Use, and Umbrella application types in eResearch and when these application types are applicable.
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OHRP’s Subparts B, C, and D - Special Populations
This course will examine the additional regulatory requirements for conducting research involving pregnant women, fetuses, neonates, children, and prisoners, including the requirements for these populations in a research project and obtaining informed consent.
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Federal and Institutional Requirements for Human Subject Research
This course will introduce the basics of conducting human subject research in compliance with federal regulations and institutional practices.
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Rogel Cancer Center Innovation Program Lecture Series: Overcoming Cancer Drug Limitations
The Rogel Cancer Center Innovation Program, a collaboration between the Rogel Cancer Center and Fast Forward Medical Innovation, presents the second of this three-part, case-study lecture series featuring experts in developing and commercializing cancer therapeutics.
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Elements of Informed Consent
This course offers an overview of informed consent in human subject research. The course will examine IRBMED’s standard consent template and focus on how it reflects federal requirements.
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Featured Research News All Office of Research News climber on a rocky outcrop at dusk
Office of Research
Call for R01 Boot Camp Mentees and Coaches
R01 Boot Camp is an intensive mentorship program designed to help early career faculty receive their first NIH Research Project Grants (R01, or equivalent). While developing proposals over the 9-month course, mentees attend a variety of workshops on topics such as grant writing, budgeting, and constructing components of the grant application.
FFMI-BCDP
Office of Research
Apply by April 14 for the Biotech Career Development Program
The Biotech Career Development Program (BCDP) is a structured, cohort-based career development program for STEM graduate students and postdocs that guides participants through self-reflection, skill-building, and career exploration strategies in advance of seeking full-time employment or an internship/externship.
Photo of Ron Chervin, M.D., M.S.
Office of Research
Ron Chervin, M.D., M.S., Appointed Assistant Dean for Clinical Research in the Medical School
Ron Chervin, M.D., M.S., appointed Assistant Dean for Clinical Research in the Medical School, effective March 10, 2025.