UKHSA Respiratory Virus Biobank

• Research type

  Research Tissue Bank

• IRAS ID

  335495

• Research summary

  Respiratory Virus Biobank at UKHSA Colindale

• REC name

  London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  24/LO/0899

• Date of REC Opinion

  22 Apr 2025

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion

• Data collection arrangements

  The biobank will contain clinical samples containing circulating strains of respiratory virus routinely sent to the UKHSA reference laboratory as part of national
  respiratory virus surveillance, outbreak response or specialist diagnostic purposes. Sample types will include upper respiratory tract swabs such as nose swabs, throat swabs, combined nose and throat swabs, nasopharyngeal swabs, but may also include other respiratory samples (e.g. sputum, nasal washings, bronchoalveolar lavage, oral fluids) and conjunctival swabs.

• Research programme

  The primary purpose of the biobank is to improve and future-proof national and international capability for risk assessment of emerging viruses and facilitate the availability of representative viruses suitable for vaccine development. Timely availability of material containing contemporary circulating viruses that are the best match for vaccine strains, is essential to developing effective seasonal vaccines. The bank will support national and international infrastructure, led by the WHO, used for the surveillance of influenza (and other respiratory viruses). Onward sharing of selected samples (estimated ~100-200 per year) with the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre London will strengthen overall capacity and provide necessary resilience for seasonal and pandemic vaccine development globally.

• Storage license

  12549

• RTBTitle

  Respiratory Virus Biobank at UKHSA Colindale

• Establishment organisation

  UK Health Security Agency

• Establishment organisation address

  61 Colindale Avenue

  London

  NW95EQ