Implementation of the University of Louisville COVID-19 Biorepository: Experiences from the Center of Excellence in Infectious Diseases (CERID)

Abstract

The limited availability of biological samples from patients testing positive for SARS CoV-2 to be available for future research was quickly identified at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this need, a COVID-19 biobank was initiated by the University of Louisville Division of Infectious Diseases, Center of Excellence for Research in Infectious Diseases (CERID). The COVID-19 biobank contains waste samples obtained from patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in any of the nine Louisville, Kentucky area hospitals during the timeframe of April 13, 2020 through 09-20-2020. The COVID-19 biobank stores approximately1,623 waste samples with 2,127 aliquots for distribution. All samples are linked to clinical data. The methods described in this paper are intended for use as a guide for other research institutions interested in developing a COVID-19 biobank.

Considerations for Maintaining Safety in Biobanks during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

“…Parichehreh-Dizaji and Haghpanah, 2020 [19] Commentary Biosafety [20] Letter-to-theeditor (2020), which described the requirements for the collection of COVID-19 samples and their use, they stated the need for collection and storage of such samples in tandem with SOPs [21] . While describing the steps involved in initiating a COVID-19 biobank process in a short report article, Balcom et al (2020) recommended the classification of all COVID-19 samples as highly infectious samples which are to be collected, inactivated, extracted, and tested in separate areas [22] .…”

“…Lack of clarity on SOPs: SOPs have been identified as the bedrock on which laboratory investigations are based [22] . In the COVID-19 context, SOPs are required for the safe handling of biological samples obtained from individuals who may or may not be positive cases of COVID-19 [3,[17][18][19] .…”