Clinical Biospecimen Repository

The repository is a resource that provides access to National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)-funded influenza-related samples collected from completed studies. These biospecimens are available for secondary research to advance scientific understanding of influenza and its impact.

Requesting samples from the repository is free. The only cost associated is for shipment of the samples upon approval of the request.

To access the available samples, simply browse our database, review the sample details, and submit a request form for approval from DMID (Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases). Once approved, you’ll be able to receive the samples for your research.

The request form collects basic details about you, your study, and your biospecimen needs. You will be asked to provide: 

• Contact and Investigator Information: Who is making the request and the Principal Investigator responsible.
• Study and Funding Context: The study name, aims, design, participant details, and funding status. 
• Specimen Needs: Types of samples and quantities required. 
• Regulatory and Compliance Information: Protocol identifiers and status of IRB approval.

To request a sample, follow these steps:

1. Browse our available samples using the search and filter tools.
2. Review the sample information to ensure it fits your research needs.
3. Complete the request form and submit it for Division of Microbiology and Infectious Disease (DMID) approval.
4. Once approved, you’ll be contacted to coordinate the shipment of the samples.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) approval process ensures that the samples will be used for valid research purposes. After submitting your request, DMID will review your project details and approve the distribution of samples based on the intended use.

The repository is open to all qualified researchers involved in influenza-related studies, including:

• Academic institutions
• Non-profit research organizations
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Government agencies
• Healthcare institutions

Eligibility is determined based on the research purpose, with Division of Microbiology and Infectious Disease (DMID) approval required for all sample requests.

The process from submission to shipment typically takes several weeks and involves multiple review and coordination steps:

• Submission: You will receive real-time confirmation once your request is submitted.
• Review: The request is checked for accuracy and completeness (about 2 business days).
• Evaluation: NIAID evaluates the request (about 4 weeks; may require additional information).
• Approval: If approved by NIAID and the original study’s principal investigator, confirmation is provided within 2 business days.
• Execution: Coordination for agreements and fulfillment is completed (about 4 weeks).
• Shipment: Samples are shipped by Thermo Fisher Scientific (1 business day).

Please note: times may vary depending on availability of the responsible parties and complexity of the request.

Sample availability can be checked through the online browsing interface. Each listing shows whether a sample is available as of the last data refresh. The database is refreshed on a regular basis (approximately every six months) to reflect the most up-to-date inventory. Please note that availability may change between updates as requests are processed.

Yes. Custom requests can be supported. If you cannot find the biospecimen you need through the browsing interface, you may still submit a request form without a picklist. Your request will be reviewed, and availability will be confirmed during the evaluation process.

Our repository includes a wide variety of sample types, including but not limited to:

• Blood
• Nasal Swabs
• Nasal Lavage Fluid
• Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs)
• Plasma
• Serum
• Urine

You can filter your search by sample type, collection year, demographics, and more.

In general, biospecimens are stored in the following formats across protocols:

• Plasma: Stored in 0.5–1.0 mL aliquots, often as a byproduct of serum processing.
• Serum: Typically collected in 0.5 mL aliquots, with some 1.0 mL volumes.
• PBMCs: Processed at ~5 × 10⁶ cells per mL of blood. Vials are usually 1 mL, though 0.5 mL aliquots appear in transcriptomics collections and 1.5 mL aliquots in proteomics collections.

Exact volumes may differ by study or collection protocol.