The UMB Biobank is committed to delivering high‑quality, consistent, and secure biospecimen management services that support rigorous scientific research across the University of Maryland School of Medicine and collaborating institutions.
How we protect specimens
Always on. Always controlled
Storage environments are continuously monitored, with safeguards and backup power designed to maintain stable temperatures during routine operations and unexpected events. Access is restricted and alarmed.
Built for scale and consistency
Automated −80 °C storage (Hamilton BiOS) minimizes freeze–thaw and supports high‑capacity, high‑reliability retrieval; automated extraction systems support consistent processing.
How we track and document
Every sample, accounted for
OpenSpecimen serves as our system of record—barcodes, metadata, real‑time inventory, and complete audit trails from receipt to distribution.
How we process
Fit‑for‑purpose laboratory work
Standardized procedures for blood handling, DNA extraction, aliquoting, normalization, and plating—executed by trained staff and supported by automation.
Continuity & response
Prepared for “what‑ifs”
Environmental alerts, documented response steps, and redundant capacity help us protect materials and maintain operations