Do you have a new project with biospecimen collection activities and want to collaborate? Please complete the COVID-19 Clinical Research Coordination Initiative (CRCI) Request Form.
How to Apply to Access Biospecimens and Data
- Researcher submits application to BCBN via the CRCI Request Form.
- Researcher receives estimates (e.g. samples available, timeline, estimated costs) from BCBN.
- The BCBN Scientific Review Committee assesses application.
- Upon approval of application, BCBN and Researcher will complete supporting documents (e.g. Material Transfer Agreement).
- Biospecimens and data are shipped from BCBN sites.
Biospecimen Inventory
Samples are collected from individuals who experienced COVID-19. A majority of samples are collected from Post-COVID Recovery Clinics patients who experience lingering symptoms after COVID-19 infection, with multiple collection timepoints.
The BCBN collects data related to participant demographics, COVID-19 infection date, vaccination status, and pre-existing medical conditions with the opportunity to link to other health data sets.
Sample Type
- Serum
- Plasma
- Buffy Coat
- PAXgene Blood RNA tube (limited patients)
- PBMCs (limited patients)
Partner with the BC Biobank Network
Are you applying for a new grant that involves collection of biospecimens? Take advantage of the BCBN’s provincial infrastructure to help with recruitment, collection, processing and storage of your samples.
| Novel developments by BCBN | Direct benefits |
| An electronic consent model which can be accessed from anywhere in BC. | Provincial recruitment and collection of representative biospecimens and annotating data. |
| A blood collection protocol and automated system using LifeLabs across BC directly linked to the electronic consent platform. | Allows participants to have biospecimens collected at a time and location of their convenience. |
| Coordination of provincial laboratories in partnership with PHSA Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services (PLMS). | Reduces burden on public laboratories with contracts administration and laboratory protocols. |
| Centralized IT management with maintenance and support. | A provincial biospecimen inventory management system with linked annotated data that lists all available specimens provincially. |
| Province-wide collection of biospecimens that adhere to standards that gives rise to high quality research. | Greater visibility in the national and international research landscape. |
What can the BCBN do for you?
The BCBN allows researchers to have:
- access to high quality biospecimens from COVID-19 participants across BC
- linkage to data sets that annotate biospecimens
- fit for purpose biobanking for specialized service requests
- access to BCBN biospecimen inventory management software
- access to tools and infrastructure for other healthcare issues outside of COVID-19
If you are interested in obtaining biospecimens form the BCBN OR you require specific biospecimen collection OR participant recruitment assistance OR you would like to know more about our future plans (see below), please contact us:
BC Biobank Network (BCBN): bc.biobanknetwork@ubc.ca