Coriell Institute for Medical Research

12/17/2025

Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a maternally inherited mitochondrial disease that causes sudden, painless loss of vision. About 100 people experience the onset of LHON each year, and no one is too young or too old to become affected. The disease affects cells in your retina and optic nerve, called retinal ganglion cells.

In 1988, researchers at Emory University School of Medicine made a groundbreaking discovery using cell lines from the NIGMS Human Genetic Cell Repository at Coriell. Their findings demonstrated that a single base change in mitochondrial DNA results in LHON. This finding has affected all research moving forward on this disease and led to clinical gene therapy trials. One of the leading centers for LHON research and patient care sits right across the river from Coriell at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia.

Read more on our blog ➡ https://www.coriell.org/1/About-Us/Press-Room/Coriell-Blog/2025/12/01/How-Coriells-Cell-Lines-Drive-Breakthrough-Research-on-Lebers-hereditary-optic-neuropathy-

12/16/2025

The Coriell Institute for Medical Research announced that it has reached a five-year, $48-million agreement with the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) to manage 3.5 million biological samples from more than 200,000 people.

Coriell Institute Lands $48M Federal Contract for Mental Illness Research

12/12/2025

Coriell is a proud sponsor of the 2026 New Jersey State Science Day. Since the 1950’s, State Science Day has inspired students in New Jersey to pursue careers in STEM. NJSSD is open to all New Jersey students in grades 9 through 12. Students may compete as individuals or in teams of 2-3.

To learn more and register, check out ➡ https://sites.google.com/view/njstatescienceday/home

12/11/2025

“As a pioneer in biobanking, Coriell has set the standard for best practices and been at the forefront in accelerating scientific research. Coriell has established and stewarded key biobanks that contain some of the world’s most extensive collections of well characterized, high quality cell lines, DNA, and other biomaterials that have been used to advance biomedical research by the international research community for more than 60 years.”

The National Institute for Mental Health has selected the Coriell Institute for Medical Research to manage its biospecimen and data collection

12/09/2025

We are just a few months away from the 2026 Science Fair, which will take place Saturday, March 14th!

The Annual Coriell Institute Science Fair showcases students from Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties in grades 6 through 12, providing students the opportunity to demonstrate their passion for science through their projects that span the STEM disciplines. To learn more and sign up ➡ https://coriellsciencefair.stemwizard.com/public_site/home/coriellsciencefair

12/08/2025

“This new contract reflects the expertise we have cultivated over the past six decades, and we are proud to expand Coriell’s mission to unlock the underlying genetic causes of disease in the field of psychiatric disorders,” added Jean-Pierre Issa, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Coriell Institute.

Discover how the Coriell Institute is leading psychiatric research with the NIMH Repository and Genomics Resource.

12/03/2025

The Coriell Institute has been awarded a multi-year National Institutes of Health (NIH) contract to lead the NIMH Repository and Genomics Resource, the nation’s largest biobank for psychiatric research. We’ll manage 3.5M+ samples, add thousands more each year, and support global research into the genetic foundations of mental illness.

Read more on our website ➡ https://www.coriell.org/1/About-Us/Press-Room/Press-Releases/2025/12/03/Coriell-Institute-Awarded-Prestigious-NIH-Contract

12/02/2025

is here! Whether it’s our innovative research in cancer and rare diseases, annual science fair for middle and high school students, summer internship program or post-doctoral program, your contribution will be put towards finding cures and training future generations of scientists to continue this important work.

Will you help us start the day off strong by making a gift? https://www.coriell.org/donation

12/01/2025

11/20/2025

Are you prepared for the 2026 Coriell Science Fair? Check out this clip from last year's fair, and register your project on STEM Wizard today! https://coriellsciencefair.stemwizard.com/public_site/home/coriellsciencefair

11/20/2025

When public policy, private research, and next-gen tech combine, great things happen here in New Jersey.

Earlier this year, New Jersey Economic Development Authority and Coriell Institute for Medical Research partnered to create a new Strategic Innovation Center (SIC) in – fully equipped with state-of-the-art incubator and laboratory spaces for emerging biotech companies.

This SIC joins a network of others strategically located throughout the state, designed to drive regional economic growth and medical and other innovations.

11/14/2025

One of South Jersey’s larger cities will be gaining a new research center as construction has officially begun on a major investment along Walnut Street.