Our Lab

CBR is the industry leader. Our passion comes from seeing the impact we make in the lives of our clients and the state of stem cell research. 

When it comes to storing your baby's newborn stem cells for potential future use, the lab where the stem cells are processed and stored is key. Our state-of-the-art, 80,000-square-foot lab is designed for newborn stem cell banking. We continuously invest in technology and processes so, when families bank with CBR, they know their stem cells are stored in leading-edge facility.

State-of-the-art processing platform

CBR uses an FDA-cleared, automated cord blood processing technology called the AXP®AutoXpress Platform, which was developed by Thermogenesis® and is distributed by GE® Healthcare. When combined with CBR's dry heparin, this automated processing system delivers the highest published cell recovery rate in the industry—99%. Other processing methods like Sepax® and Hespan® have been shown to save only 81% of cells.1-3

Rooted in science

Our laboratory, in affiliation with the University of Arizona, Tucson, has been processing and storing cord blood for 20 years and was the first family cord blood stem cell bank in the world. It was initially established as a pilot program partially sponsored by the American Cancer Society and the University of Arizona using technology pioneered by Dr. David T. Harris, professor of Immunology and CBR's Scientific Director.

Accredited and licensed

At CBR, all processing, quality control, and quality assurance metrics are in accordance with FDA guidelines. We also have the longest history of accreditation with the AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks) along with being accredited by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CLIA program. In addition, CBR is licensed in the states of New York (for both Cord Blood and Cord Tissue), New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois and California (currently the only states requiring special licensing). Lastly, CBR's quality system is ISO 9001:2008 certified.

Ultimate protection against cross-contamination

CBR's storage units feature stable and precise cryogenic temperature control. Each sample is encased in an outer protective envelope to ensure the barcode never detaches from the sample. All samples are suspended above liquid nitrogen, rather than being submerged, which can transfer viruses, risking cross-contamination.1-2 State-of-the-art security features help protect your baby's stem cells at all times, including:
  • 24-hour monitoring system scans conditions every 1.6 seconds
  • 9,000-gallon standby tank of liquid nitrogen

Secure location

Parents rely on us to help protect their families, so we leave nothing to chance, including CBR's laboratory location—Tucson, Arizona—and safety systems. Tucson is one of the safest U.S. cities in terms of risk from natural disasters6 that could create circumstances that could interrupt consistent long-term storage of your sample. Redundant back-up systems include a large-capacity backup generator.

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