Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection causing the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been responsible for more than 2.8 million deaths and nearly 125 million infections worldwide as of March 2021. In March 2020, the World Health Organization determined that the COVID-19 outbreak is a global pandemic. The urgency and magnitude of this pandemic demanded immediate action and coordination between local, regional, national, and international actors. In that mission, researchers require access to high-quality biological materials and data from SARS-CoV-2 infected and uninfected patients, covering the spectrum of disease manifestations. The "Biobanque québécoise de la COVID-19" (BQC19) is a pan-provincial initiative undertaken in Québec, Canada to enable the collection, storage and sharing of samples and data related to the COVID-19 crisis. As a disease-oriented biobank based on high-quality biosamples and clinical data of hospitalized and non-hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive and negative individuals. The BQC19 follows a legal and ethical management framework approved by local health authorities. The biosamples include plasma, serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and DNA and RNA isolated from whole blood. In addition to the clinical variables, BQC19 will provide in-depth analytical data derived from the biosamples including whole genome and transcriptome sequencing, proteome and metabolome analyses, multiplex measurements of key circulating markers as well as anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses. BQC19 will provide the scientific and medical communities access to data and samples to better understand, manage and ultimately limit, the impact of COVID-19. In this paper we present BQC19, describe the process according to which it is governed and organized, and address opportunities for future research collaborations. BQC19 aims to be a part of a global communal effort addressing the challenges of COVID-19.
Highlights
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel human disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2
It was classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020
Access to high-quality biological materials and data from SARS-CoV-2 infected and uninfected participants is essential for achieving this mission
Summary
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel human disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. For adults who have consented to participate in BQC19 but have not been hospitalized, a 60 mL of blood is drawn at each of the scheduled follow-up visits approximately in months 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24. Depending on the possibilities for blood samples to be processed, the BQC19 sample collection includes: 1 PAXgene RNA tube, 4 Acid Citrate Dextrose (ACD) tubes and 1 red-capped tube (serum) from each participant at each visit where blood sample are drawn These samples allow DNA/RNA, plasma, serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolation. In order to ensure consistency in the preparation of biosamples collected for BQC19, all participating sites use the same SOPs (available at BQC19.ca), clearly detailing the exact protocol to be followed, including the type of primary container to be used (Table 3). A registry of all projects that have benefited from biomaterial and data of BQC19 is maintained and will be made available to the research community and the general public on the BQC19 website
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