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COVID-19 Biorepository

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MUSC has established a COVID-19 biorepository that includes samples from patients known to be COVID-19 positive and negative. The samples include DNA/RNA, serum, plasma, PBMCs, nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs used for testing, as well as longitudinal samples from convalescent patients. Because these specimens represent a finite resource, an oversight committee has been formed to review requests to obtain samples.

Currently, the COVID-19 Biorepository contains samples from 235 unique patients. (last updated 12/21/2022)

Application Process

To apply for samples, please complete the initial REDCap below. The following information will be required to complete the process:

  • Names and affiliations of investigators associated with the project
  • PI biosketch
  • Funding source for the project
  • Type of samples requested, amounts and frequency (if applicable)
  • Scientific background and rationale for the project
  • Hypotheses and Specific Aims
  • Experimental design, including sample size calculation
  • Data analysis plan
  • Expected outcomes and impacts

COVID-19 Biorepository Request Application

RFA to Conduct Research

The RFA To Conduct Research With Biospecimens Obtained from Patients with COVID-19 aims to answer important questions concerning the pathogenesis and sequelae of COVID-19.

View RFA

Review of Applications

Applications will be reviewed in accordance with the following criteria:

  1. Availability of samples requested
  2. Overall scientific merit of the study
  3. Feasibility of the study, including statistical significance
  4. Potential impact on the prevention or treatment of COVID-19
  5. Expertise of the investigative team
  6. Involvement of MUSC investigators

Please note the following:

  • Only applications received through the REDCap site can be accepted
  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis
  • Samples will only be released if the relevant IRB/IBC approvals are in place
  • A progress report on the study is expected after 6 months

Please note that there is an administrative charge to obtain samples from the COVID-19 Biorepository. Contact Amy Gandy for more information.

*PBMC cell counts are 1.0 x 107/1mL

COVID-19 Sample Breakdown

780 DNA

as of 2022

2,400 PMBC's

as of 2022

6,170 Plasma

as of 2022

624 RNA

as of 2022

1,037 Saliva

as of 2022

5,152 Serum

as of 2022

Contacts

Patrick A. Flume, M.D.

Clinical Sciences Research Pathway Leader: Patrick Flume, M.D., is a Professor and Endowed Chair in the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics. Dr. Flume has a long history of success in performing and leading large clinical trials in cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and non-tuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary infections. He is Director of the MUSC CF Center, Director of the MUSC Therapeutic Development Network (TDN) research site (consistently in the top three performing centers in the network), and has served as a site Principal Investigator in >100 multi-center clinical trials and as the overall PI in >10 trials including the Standardized Treatment of Pulmonary Exacerbations in CF (STOP Program) funded by the CF Foundation. He has led the Pulmonary Clinical Trials Program for the last 10 years, providing supervision to a program that manages an average of 50 active studies at any given time. Many of his prior trainees have continued onto successful research careers in CF.

Amy Gandy