Overview:
The MN-BRIDGE NHP Biobank provides high-quality, deeply characterized tissues, blood products, and digital pathology resources to support translational research. While regenerative medicine - spanning cell, gene, and tissue-engineering therapies - is a primary focus, the biobank also serves investigators in immunology, neuroscience, toxicology, aging biology, biomaterials, and related fields across the biomedical pipeline. Highly characterized specimens with known histories and health profiles offer a level of reproducibility and biological context not typically achievable with human tissues.
The biobank also supports NAMs-aligned research by providing primate-relevant tissues suitable for ex vivo systems, microphysiological platforms, and computational modeling, applications that help reduce reliance on new in-vivo NHP studies while maintaining translational relevance.
By enabling essential molecular, cellular, histological, and compatibility studies before additional in-vivo work is pursued, the biobank maximizes each donor’s scientific value and supports responsible stewardship of NHP resources.
To request samples or additional information, please submit the Biobank Request contact form linked below or email us directly with project-specific inquiries at:
Requesting Biorepository Information/Tissues:
All requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure appropriate scientific justification, feasibility, and alignment with the goals of the biobank. Prospective collections may be supported when IACUC-compliant, operationally feasible, and without added animal burden.
Sample distribution is conducted in accordance with applicable U.S. federal and state regulations and University of Minnesota policies. In some cases, transfer of materials may require a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA).
Available Sample Types:
Biobank specimens originate from Old-World primates in the PCRC colony, including Indian-origin rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) and Mauritian-origin cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis). This diverse, well-characterized donor pool includes males and females spanning juvenile to adult ages—reflecting biologically relevant variation seen in human patient populations.
The colony operates as a closed population. Upon entry, all animals test negative for tuberculosis (TB), macaque herpes B virus, simian retrovirus D, SIV, and simian T-cell leukemia virus 1. Continued monitoring provides robust longitudinal health records.
Prospective collections may be arranged depending on research needs and colony scheduling.
Blood Products
- Serum
- Plasma
- Whole blood
- Isolated PBMCs
Tissues
- Formalin-fixed tissues: blocks, unstained slides, or digitized images
- Fresh-frozen OCT blocks or scrolls
- Snap-frozen tissues
- RNAlater-preserved specimens
Other Sample Types
- Urine
- Feces
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
- Swabs
What Makes this Biobank Unique:
The MN-BRIDGE biobank derives all samples from a colony maintained under a comprehensive quality assurance framework that ensures consistency, reliability, and suitability for translational research. This controlled environment minimizes model-imposed confounding and enhances the predictive value of collected specimens.
Key distinguishing features include:
- Defined source population
Cynomolgus macaques (Mauritian origin) and rhesus macaques (Indian origin), providing stable and well-documented genetic backgrounds. - Standardization of key variables
Husbandry, nutrition, enrichment, and veterinary care support physiological stability and reduce uncontrolled variability. - Rigorous biospecimen collection and processing
Consistent SOPs for sample collection, handling, and storage promote reproducibility across studies. - Comprehensive disease screening and longitudinal health monitoring
Regular assessments generate reliable, well-documented donor health profiles. - Behavioral management program that reduces stress and confounding
- Cooperative care training enables participation in routine and complex medical procedures.
- Lower stress improves physiological stability and the translational fidelity of collected tissues.
Together, these features create a uniquely reliable and biologically relevant resource that supports regenerative medicine and a wide range of translational applications, while reducing the need for new in-vivo NHP studies.
