Test Us Bank Study

Background: The purpose of this study was develop a curated collection of human specimens paired with clinical information that could be used by investigators or companies for SARS-CoV-2 research, as well as provide SARS-CoV-2 testing to participants.

Materials/Methods: Participants were asked to complete a survey through the Eureka digital study platform. The survey collected demographic information, types of samples provided, and collected information about experience with COVID-19 (e.g., symptoms or exposures). Samples (nasopharyngeal swabs, anterior nasal swabs, mid-turbinate nasal swabs, saliva, and blood) were collected in a location equipped for safely obtaining specimens from potentially SARS-CoV-2 infected participants. Samples that were consented to be shared for secondary research use and deemed reuseable for research were sent to the biorepository for storage and sharing.

Outcome/Impact: The outcomes of this study allowed for samples to be used for viral research involving viral genome sequencing or other virus assays. Investigators could also use the samples to conduct research on other viruses in the respiratory tract including but not limited to influenza or respiratory syncytial virus.