UMMC Biobank

The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) established the UMMC Biobank to support translational and clinical research in addition to serving as the tissue bank core of the Cancer Center and Research Institute.

Previously known as the University Biospecimen Repository, the biobank began operations in November 2011 with a focus on cancer-related surgery specimens. In March 2013, we expanded blood collections to other areas, including the transplant, gastrointestinal, congenital heart disease and HIV clinics. To date, the biobank has over 3,500 participants.

The UMMC Biobank has dedicated biorepository specialists for consenting patients and specimen processing. Our consent allows access to historical and future clinical data through the electronic health record (EHR) to facilitate in-depth translational research. Samples collected include whole blood, serum, plasma, white blood cells, tumor and normal tissue, handled according to the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) Best Practices. All freezers are on a back-up power alarm system with 24-hour surveillance.

Our mission is to provide high quality biospecimens linked with relevant clinical and pathological data to investigators to support cutting edge research.

The UMMC Biobank is committed to allocating diverse samples for various research studies led by UMMC researchers and other established organizations. This allows the opportunity for urgent discovery and development of tests, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals. This will lead us in the fight against novel viruses and existing health conditions that afflict our population.

Available Biospecimen Samples:

The UMMC Biobank has various biospecimens stored for internal and external research upon approval. A list of the biospecimens stored within the UMMC Biobank include: 

• COVID 19-Samples

• • We have Adult, Perinatal, and Pediatric CoViD-19 positive samples that consist of the following aliquots: Serum, Plasma, Buffy Coat and Whole Blood. 
  • All COVID 19 samples are collected at different time points from admitted patients who are mild to moderately ill. 
  • All COVID 19 samples are IRB approved after getting informed consent from admitted patients. 

• Women’s Health 
• Obesity 
• Neurodegenerative Mood Disorders 
• Cancer 

If interested in obtaining samples for your research, please fill out the Specimen Request Form.

For more information