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Helmholtz Munich | Matthias Balk

The NAKO Central Biorepository

The NAKO Biorepository at the Helmholtz Munich research site is Germany's largest storage system for human biosamples. State-of-the-art infrastructure, highly innovative robotics and expertise enable the biomaterial to be permanently frozen at -80° and -180° Celsius.

The NAKO Biorepository at the Helmholtz Munich research site is Germany's largest storage system for human biosamples. State-of-the-art infrastructure, highly innovative robotics and expertise enable the biomaterial to be permanently frozen at -80° and -180° Celsius.

About Biorepository

The samples at the Biorepository come from the NAKO health study. Since 2014, 205000 women and men aged 20-69 have been examined in 18 study centers throughout Germany as part of the largest population study. In addition to a physical examination and the recording of medical history and lifestyle habits, up to five different types of biomaterials are taken, depending on the study wave: Blood, urine, saliva, nasal swabs, and stool samples. The blood is stored in up to five components (serum, plasma, erythrocytes, RNA, and buffy coat for DNA isolation). These biosamples are stored for years for later analysis and global research projects. The variety and quantity of sample material stored from the large number of study participants, with a sustainably assured sample quality, is what makes this collection so exceptional. This scientific treasure can support epidemiological research well into the 2040s, and unique insights can be gained for health research, and pioneering medical applications can be developed.
Data protection also has top priority at the central biorepository. All biosample data is stored and processed exclusively in pseudonymized form.

Discover the NAKO Central Biorepository

People at Biorepository

Porträt Andreas Hörlein

Dr. Andreas Hörlein

Head of NAKO (German National Cohort) Biorepository
Porträt Julia Six-Merker

Julia Six-Merker

Deputy Head of NAKO (German National Cohort) Biorepository

Contact Head

Porträt Andreas Hörlein

Dr. Andreas Hörlein

Head of NAKO (German National Cohort) Biorepository

Building 46, Room 129