Call for Research Applications to the PHE-MOHS Ebola Biobank

During the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone in 2014-15, residual clinical specimens and accompanying data were collected from routine diagnostic testing in Public Health England (PHE) led laboratories. The samples with all the accompanying data were transferred to PHE laboratories in the UK for curation by PHE.  The biobank holds approximately 9955 samples of which 1108 are positive for Ebola.    

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation in Sierra Leone (MOHS) have retained ownership of the data and materials, and have agreed to work with PHE and other collaborators to develop and conduct a series of research projects that will inform future public health strategy relating to Ebola.  The biobank is supported by the Wellcome Trust Biomedical Resources Grant [208376/Z/17/Z].

The Biobank is an open access resource which is available to bona fide scientists undertaking health-related research. Approved scientists from the UK and overseas and from academia, government, charity and commercial companies can apply to the biobank.

Application to the biobank is a one stage application process and needs to be made to the PHE-MOHS Ebola Biobank Governance Group (EBGG). The EBGG is an independent group that has been established to co-ordinate access to the data and materials for researchers and to ensure the effective use of the resource.

Applicants wishing to access materials are advised to contact the PHE HRG (Head of Research Governance) to confirm sample availability before their projects are finalised.