Central Biorepository adds new biospecimens for researchers

A member of the biorepository team reaches for a specimen.

The Central Biorepository receives and distributes biospecimens and data from U-M contributors across the spectrum of medical research. This includes recently-added biobank initiatives, the Cancer Genetics Registry (CGR) and Mental Health BioBank (MHB2).

The CGR is an ongoing, longitudinal study developed with the overall goal of improving clinical care and facilitating research regarding hereditary cancers. Genomic DNA is obtained from blood, saliva samples or cheek swabs at the time of enrollment.

To date, approximately 6,000 individuals from 4,700 families have enrolled in the registry, including more than 275 families with Lynch syndrome and 100 families with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis. Extensive demographic, social, medical and family history information is collected on participants from medical records, clinical notes, clinic pedigrees and study questionnaires and stored using a customized database application and Progeny software. Click here for more information.

The brand-new MHB2 launched within the U-M Department of Psychiatry earlier this summer with the aim of establishing a DNA biobank for mental health conditions. It universally enrolls every adult outpatient psychiatry patient who consents into the genetic biobank and provides permission to recontact participants for additional and more specific research studies. Patients provide a saliva sample to be used for DNA extraction and access to medical record data.

With the establishment of a large-scale DNA biobank for mental health, scientists will be able to perform genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify genetic variants associated with mental illness and treatment response. Find more information about the MHB2 by clicking here.

To view the full list of active CBR programs and get more information, visit the CBR website.

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