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