The University Medical Center Halle is significantly expanding its cryogenic warehouse on the Steintor Medical Campus. There, blood, tissue and cell samples are preserved for decades at extremely low temperatures down to minus 160 degrees Celsius. The project is funded with almost 9.3 million euros from the ERDF programme “Science R University Construction” by the European Union and the state of Saxony-Anhalt.

The central biobank of Saxony-Anhalt has been in routine operation for three years. In September 2025, the 10,000th patient gave his consent to donate samples. So far, more than 16,000 blood samples have been processed, resulting in 85,000 plasma and 16,000 DNA samples.

The expansion doubles the usable area by more than 300 square meters. In the future, 40 refrigerators with minus 80 degrees Celsius and 20 nitrogen storage containers with temperatures between minus 150 and minus 195 degrees Celsius will be available. The samples can be stored for around 30 years. Especially in the case of rare diseases, long-term storage enables the collection of sufficient sample quantities and the comparison of changes in the course of the disease.

The existing building will be supplemented by a technical area of the same size. The new building meets climate resilience goals of the European Union and integrates into the surrounding listed buildings. These include recycled concrete, façade and surrounding greening, photovoltaics on the entire roof, solar control glazing and a thermal composite system. In addition, a new entrance area with sample acceptance, social area and laboratory space is being built.

Construction will begin in autumn 2026 and completion is scheduled for mid-2028. The biobank serves as the core facility of the Center for Basic Medical Research and provides long-term support for medical research at the Halle site.

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Core Facility Biobank | Center for Basic Medical Research (ZMG) | University Medical Center Halle

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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