COVID-19 Biorepository + Comprehensive Database

The COVID-19 Biorepository is a centralized resource that collects, processes, stores and disseminates biological specimens and accompanying de-identified health information to qualified Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University and MassCPR investigators for use in a wide range of biomedical studies. The biorepository is led by the Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases in collaboration with the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and functions under standard operating procedures and quality control measures for specimen collection and maintenance.

The MassCPR has provided funding for the COVID-19 Biorepository.

The Comprehensive COVID-19 Database captures de-identified clinical and epidemiological data from all people tested for COVID-19 at Tufts Medical Center and includes information from both those with and without infection. The database is led by the Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases with support from the Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute.

The COVID-19 biorepository supports the prospective collection of biospecimens and associated de-identified data from hospitalized patients under one standardized protocol. 

The centralized nature of the biorepository ensures uniform specimen handling, data quality and regulatory oversight for biobanking operations. Specimens are collected at multiple time points and include nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal and rectal swabs, as well as plasma, serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), placentae, saliva, urine and stool.

The COVID-19 biorepository is available to qualified investigators within the Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University research community as well as qualified investigators from MassCPR. Not all specimen types may be available from all participants.

The COVID-19 Biorepository Oversight Committee will grant approval to investigators who have relevant Research Committee, Biosafety and Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals. Specimen access is on a first come first served basis.

The COVID-19 Biorepository has been established to create a central repository of blood and other specimen types from people infected with SARS-CoV2 with accompanying de-identified health information.

The Comprehensive COVID-19 Database houses de-identified information on all people tested for COVID-19 at Tufts Medical Center.

The COVID-19 Biorepository has been designed to support the prospective collection of biospecimens and associated de-identified data under one standardized protocol. The centralized nature of the biobank will ensure uniform specimen handling, data quality and regulatory oversight for biobanking operations.

The COVID-19 Biorepository is available to qualified investigators within the Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University research community. A limited number of specimens and de-identified data will be shared with the Mass CPR.

Make a formal request: Qualified investigators within the Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University research community may request specimens from COVID-19-infected people (and or negative controls) and accompanying de-identified data. To make a request, you must first have all approvals in place (e.g., IRB approval, relevant COVID-19 Research Oversight Committee approval and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) approval). If you are making a request for specimens and data, there is no need to complete a request for de-identified data only.

Make a formal request: Qualified investigators may request de-identified data (no specimens) from people tested for COVID-19. To make a request, you must first have all approvals in place (e.g., IRB and relevant COVID-19 Research Oversight Committee) before making a request.

We adhere to all federal, state and local regulations regarding the use of bio-samples and de-identified data for human subject research.