Overview: A strategic collaboration to accelerate neuroscience research
COMBINEDBrain and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) have joined forces to establish a cutting-edge biorepository for pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tissue and biofluids. Led by MUSC’s Dr. Ramin Eskandari and COMBINEDBrain’s Dr. Anna Pfalzer, the alliance aims to accelerate the development of therapies for neurological diseases and streamline biomarker discovery for drug development. By focusing on pediatric samples and including individuals not diagnosed with genetic neurological disease, the repository seeks to fill a critical gap in current research resources.
What makes this biorepository unique
Unlike many biobanks, this initiative prioritizes pediatric populations and research samples from children who are not affected by a specific neurological disorder. The repository will house high-quality human tissues—brain, bone, and other soft tissues—as well as biofluids such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood. These materials will be made accessible to the international research community, enabling researchers to explore normal developmental biology in addition to disease mechanisms.
Leadership and vision
Dr. Ramin Eskandari, Chief of the Department of Neurosurgery at MUSC, emphasizes the resource’s potential to accelerate science: “This biorepository is a game-changer for both academia and the pharmaceutical industry. By providing rare, invaluable samples, we pave the way for more efficient research and drug development.” Dr. Anna Pfalzer, Chief Scientific Officer at COMBINEDBrain, adds that access to control pediatric samples addresses a major unmet need in rare neurological diseases. Together, their leadership anchors a program designed to support discovery from basic science through clinical validation.
How the biorepository supports drug development
The repository will serve as a vital asset for academic researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and biotech firms working on CNS diseases. Samples come from residual tissues collected during neurosurgical procedures and are complemented by CSF and blood specimens. A standardized protocol ensures sample integrity and preserves biofluid contents for downstream assays, sequencing, proteomics, and biomarker discovery. A complete online catalog of the CNS Repository is available at:
https://combinedbrain.org/biorepository/
Impact across the drug development lifecycle
By offering diverse, high-quality human CNS tissues and biofluids, the biorepository supports research at every stage—from early exploratory studies and preclinical work to clinical validation. The focus on pediatric controls enables clearer comparisons, helping scientists identify disease-specific changes and develop targeted therapies. In neurodegenerative and developmental disorders alike, early biomarker identification can improve diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of treatment efficacy.
Global implications and the path forward
The COMBINEDBrain-MUSC partnership creates a powerful international resource, pooling expertise, infrastructure, and patient access to speed neuroscience breakthroughs. As researchers around the world gain access to well-curated pediatric CNS specimens, the pace of biomarker discovery and therapeutic development is expected to quicken, potentially translating into better outcomes for millions of children affected by neurological conditions.
Next steps and collaboration opportunities
As the biorepository expands, researchers are invited to explore sample access, collaborations, and data-sharing opportunities through the online catalog. Ongoing efforts will emphasize ethical stewardship, informed consent, and rigorous standardization to ensure that samples remain an enduring asset for the global scientific community.
Key dates and access
Details on access criteria, sample availability, and application procedures are published in the CNS Repository catalog and linked communications from MUSC and COMBINEDBrain.
