On Jun. 5, 2020, the Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL) COVID-19 Biorepository was announced to ensure researchers have the material they need to create improved diagnostic tools, treatments and even potentially a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

In a classic biorepository, researchers design their studies in advance and obtain what is called “prospective consent” to take extra samples such as blood, tissue and stools from patients.

In this case, samples are taken from patients during the normal course of diagnosis and treatment for COVID-19. Once medically needed tests are complete, the excess-which is usually just thrown away-is divided into tiny portions called aliquots and preserved for future research by freezing to -80 C.

A dashboard of the aliquots held in both Edmonton and Calgary allows researchers to request samples tailored to their study needs. For most research, anonymized samples will suffice, so the privacy of patients is protected. For those who need more information about the patients, “retrospective consent” will be sought.