Channing Cohorts Biorepository

The Channing Cohorts Biorepository Core manages over 4 million biological specimens collected from over 200,000 participants in several large, longitudinal, cohort studies. The Core prepares and ships over 60,000 biospecimens annually to collaborating laboratories for analyses evaluating the relationship between biomarkers and chronic disease risk.These cohort studies include:

Newly enrolling/collecting biospecimens: CDBC N3 + GUTS; and the NHS, NHSII, N3, GUTS, + HPFS Virome Study

Ongoing Follow-Up (FU) Data collection and Distribution:

  • Nurses Health Study (NHS)
  • Nurses Health Study II (NHSII)
  • Nurses Health Study 3 (N3)
  • Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS)
  • Growing Up Today Studies 1 and 2 (GUTS)

Biospecimens collected from Studies above are actively utilized in epidemiologic research studies of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, among others. The biospecimens from these cohorts are richly enhanced by up to 47 years of health-related behaviors + medical histories, making them a unique and invaluable research resource. Sample types stored here include: plasma, WBC, RBC, urine, DNA, toenails, hair, stool, saliva and tissue.

An extremely valuable, but finite, resource; thus much effort is put forth to ensure high quality, efficient specimen handling. The goal of the Biorepository is to maximize use of samples in a cost-effective, ethical, state-of-the-art manner.

Contacts:

Senior Research and Biobank Manager:  Janine Neville-Golden
Email: Janine.Neville-Golden@channing.harvard.edu

Research Manager - Tissue Group: Matthew Mahoney
Email: matt.mahoney@channing.harvard.edu

Facilities:

Location of Core

Biospecimens Collection and Distribution: 
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Channing Division of Network Medicine
221 Longwood Ave Eugene Braunwald Research Center (EBRC), 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02115

Tissue Collection and Distribution: 
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Channing Division of Network Medicine
181 Longwood Ave MCP, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02115


Location of Freezer Farms: 
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Channing Division of Network Medicine
221 and 181 Longwood Ave, and
Harvard School of Public Health
677 Huntington Ave

Major Equipment:

136 Liquid Nitrogen Freezers; 2 Mechanical -80C Freezers; 1 - M2 nest in a Hamilton Bios M10 -80C; Freezer; Hamilton STAR Auto aliquoter: Scinomix Automated Labeler; and Brady Labeling Systems.

Distribuition Services:  See Attached Distribution Scope and Rates.

Collection Services: Contact BLOBForms@channing.harvard.edu for planning and customization of budget based on the magnitude and complexity of the project.

Tissue Services: Table to be uploaded in March 2026.

Collections: Specialized collection management, including the development of approaches, materials and management for recruitment, shipping, receiving, processing and storage of population level biospecimens
Consultation: Biobanking consultation, including the provision of management and operational level expertise for biobank and biospecimens collection enterprises within the epidemiologic research community.

Getting Started:
Part of the Channing Division of Network Medicine: http://brighamandwomens.org/research/depts/medicine/channing/default.aspx

For Questions: Please contact Janine Neville-Golden at: cohorts.biorepository@channing.harvard.edu

Our Cohorts:
Nurses’ Health Study

Health Professionals Follow-Up Study

Growing Up Today Study