NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE - CANCER.GOV

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Zack Klug
Director, Repository

Location

4600 Wedgewood Blvd
Frederick, MD 21702

Additional Contacts

Ken Matsui
Scientist, Biospecimen Aliquoting
Stacey Karnes
Program Manager, Repository

Overview

The Central Repository provides the research community at the NCI with various cryogenic services, including low-temperature storage from +4° C to -196° C, controlled-rate freezing, computerized inventory and distribution of samples. The Central Repository is operated by Leidos Biomedical Research Inc. on behalf of NCI as part of the Frederick National Laboratory. Services may be provided to other NIH Institutes for specific projects upon request.

Contacting This Facility: To contact this facility, please refer to the contact details below. Please do not send your request via CREx.
List of Services
  • Sample Storage at Specified Temperatures
  • Label Printing Services
  • Biospecimen Re-labeling
  • Shipping of Samples and Biospecimens
  • Biospecimen Aliquoting Services
  • Emergency Laboratory Backup Freezer Storage
  • Investigator Dedicated Freezer for Sample Storage
  • NCI General Use Shared Freezer for Sample Storage
  • Sample Input Requests/Sample Withdrawal Requests
  • Sample Discard Requests
  • Transfer of Collection Ownership
  • Import/ Export of Sample Collections
  • Pricing

Major Instrumentation

  • 3 locations in Frederick, MD.
  • Actively supports over 700 collections and stores 22+ million biospecimens.
  • Operates over 250 freezers and refrigerators of various types.
  • Utilizes Biological Specimen Inventory (BSI) by Information Management Systems (IMS), Inc.
  • Implementing Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems in September 2025.

User Guidelines

Please review the considerations below if you are interested in any repository services:

  • Only researchers affiliated with the Frederick National Lab are eligible for using the Repository.
  • Services are provided for a fee and are assessed monthly.
  • We are unable to accept materials that:
    • Require Good Manufacturing Practices compliance.
    • Exceed Biosafety Level (BSL) 2.
    • Are subject to Global Containment Initiatives.
    • Are known to contain Select Agents.
    • Are radioactive.
  • Equipment transfers to the repository are subject to condition, space availability, and operational feasibility.
  • Customers are responsible for coordinating asset transfer/delivery to the repository facility.
  • Contact Zack or Stacey to begin capturing your study requirements

Keywords

cryogenicsCell Banking and Aliquotingnci-ncrBest PracticesStorageSamplesFreezer(s)Pricing