The significance of biorepositories has been known for many years but the latest advances in clinical and translational research and increased collaborations among investigators have made biorepositories even more prominent. Biorepositories collect and store human tissue and serum samples used in both the research and treatment of disease. In cancer, researchers are now able to take a tissue sample of a human tumor and implant it into a mouse to duplicate the human disease progression and response to treatment. Thus, new drugs are tested in animal model systems with human tumors before they reach the stage of human clinical trials. The deciphering of the human genome has also led to greater use of and dependence on biorepositories. Tumor tissue can now be analyzed to determine the genetic alterations that appear consistently in tumors. These aberrant and tumor related genes then become biomarkers for drugs; thus, the genetic profile of a tumor becomes a target for drug treatment unique to that patient. The implementation and administration of a biorepository core facility is very challenging and requires organized infrastructure that involves strong institutional support and commitment. More than ever, institutions face ethical and regulatory issues with regard to tissue procurement and research, confidentiality, consent procedures and the handling of research results. In addition, securing steady financial support could pose one of the biggest challenges during these economic times when funding is limited. Overcoming these challenges is essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of the core facility. The research administrator can provide valuable insights into the many aspects of running an effective biorepository by focusing on both the financial and the administrative aspects of a biorepository core facility, including establishment of a recharge account so that services can be billed, user fee rates that can sustain business fluctuations, financial monitoring so that the business does not go into deficit, business plans and performance review to ensure that the business stays viable.