Central Biorepository: COVID-19 Biospecimens

The COVID-19 Biorepository provides faculty with valuable opportunities for understanding the effects of and response to SARS-CoV2 infection, COVID-19 mechanisms of disease, and virus epidemiology, among other biomedical insights, all of which can improve outcomes for infected individuals, and public health overall. 

We currently store thousands of plasma, serum, and whole cells (buffy coat) samples. Samples have been collected either under a waiver of consent (secondary use must be minimal risk) or with broad consent from COVID-19 patients. We are able to provide fresh samples (less than 4 hours post-collection) and convalescent samples at the request of the study team. To view a current inventory of what is available view the CBR Inventory (updated weekly) and DataDirect. 

How to Access to Samples

1. Submit an IRB application
    
2. After IRB approval, Principal Investigators are expected to review and/or complete:
   • Sample Request Form - complete and submit
   • Memorandum of Understanding - sign and email to CBR.requests@umich.edu
      
3. Once the above documents have been received and reviewed investigators will receive communication via email regarding sample availability and pickup details. Samples will be delivered from the CBR at NCRC. CBR staff will coordinate with you for logistics details. 

The samples will be archived using LabVantage and will be stored in MCRU for the first few months. These will later be transferred to the CBR for long term storage, and the CBR will process future requests. Notifications will go out in advance regarding the transition of the samples to the CBR.