Overview of a pivotal collaboration
COMBINEDBrain, a leader in translational neuroscience research, and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), a top academic health center, have announced a strategic partnership to establish a cutting-edge biorepository focused on pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tissue and biofluids. Guided by MUSC’s Dr. Ramin Eskandari and COMBINEDBrain’s Dr. Anna Pfalzer, the initiative aims to accelerate the development of treatments for neurological diseases and enhance drug discovery efforts by providing researchers with high-quality, well-characterized samples.
Why a pediatric CNS biorepository matters
The repository is unique in its emphasis on pediatric populations and, importantly, on collecting samples from children not diagnosed with genetic or neurological disease. By creating a robust, ethically sourced resource from healthy pediatric controls, researchers can better understand normal development, establish baseline biomarker profiles, and more accurately identify disease-related changes. This approach is expected to shorten discovery timelines and improve the precision of diagnostic and prognostic tools for a broad range of neurological conditions.
What the biorepository will contain
The collection encompasses a diverse array of CNS-related materials, including brain, bone, and other soft tissues, as well as biofluids such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood. All samples are procured and cataloged under standardized protocols designed to preserve tissue integrity and preserve biofluid constituents for downstream applications. In addition to enabling fundamental neuroscience research, the biorepository will serve as a critical resource for biomarker discovery, target identification, and therapeutic validation across the drug development lifecycle.
Access, governance, and collaboration
The repository will be accessible to the international research community, including academic groups, pharmaceutical companies, and biotech firms. By pooling expertise and resources, the collaboration aims to streamline collaboration while maintaining rigorous ethical and regulatory standards. A complete catalog of the CNS Repository, including sample types and accessibility details, is available online at the COMBINEDBrain website. Researchers can expect rapid, well-documented access to samples that meet stringent quality controls.
Impact on drug development and biomarker discovery
This biorepository is designed to support the full spectrum of drug development—from early-stage exploratory studies and preclinical work to clinical validation. By providing a diverse, high-quality collection of pediatric CNS tissues and biofluids, it accelerates biomarker discovery, enabling more sensitive diagnostics and more precise therapeutic targeting. The resource is particularly valuable for advancing treatments in rare neurological diseases where viable, well-characterized control samples are scarce.
Global implications for neuroscience research
The joint effort from COMBINEDBrain and MUSC represents a major milestone in global neuroscience research. By coordinating sample collection, standardizing protocols, and opening access to researchers worldwide, the partnership fosters collaboration and accelerates the pace of discovery. The biorepository stands to benefit patients across generations by helping to identify disease mechanisms earlier, validate biomarkers, and support the development of targeted therapies that can improve outcomes for millions of children and families affected by CNS disorders.
Leadership perspectives
Dr. Ramin Eskandari of MUSC underscores the initiative’s potential to transform both academic research and pharmaceutical development by providing rare, invaluable samples to study disease mechanisms and test therapies. Dr. Anna Pfalzer of COMBINEDBrain emphasizes meeting an urgent need in rare neurological diseases by ensuring access to samples from pediatric controls, a critical gap for meaningful biomarker work and therapeutic discovery.
How to learn more
For more details about the CNS biorepository, including sample availability and access criteria, visit the repository catalog at the COMBINEDBrain website. This resource is positioned to accelerate knowledge and bring tangible benefits to patients, clinicians, and industry partners worldwide.
