ILS-Bhubaneswar among 16 centres to feature biorepository for COVID-19 clinical samples

Sambad English Bureau Published On : May 25, 2020 at 11:59 AM

Bhubaneswar: Institute of Life Science (ILS), Bhubaneswar has been identified as one of the 16 centers in the country for establishment of biorepository for COVID-19 clinical samples.

While the current focus of fight against coronavirus has been on early diagnosis and containment of infection, Government of India is emphasizing on research and development efforts to innovate the much needed interventions. For development and validation of new diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, access to various kinds of clinical samples from COVID-19 patients is required.

ILS Bhubaneswar researchers discover new probiotic bacteria

Odisha to move Supreme Court over Kotia panchayat polls

The Government has identified 16 biorepositories to be established across the country, including one at Bhubaneswar. These repositories have been mandated for collecting, storing and maintaining clinical samples (oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal swabs, bronchoalveolar lavage, sputum, blood, urine and stool) of COVID-19 patients. These designated biorepositories will use the clinical samples for research and development purpose in their respective institutes.

In addition, they are also authorized to share the samples with academia, industry and commercial entities involved in development of diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines etc. after scrutinizing the purpose of the request and ensuring benefit to the country.

Dr. Ajay Parida, Director, ILS expressed his happiness for the institute being identified for establishing a biorepository. In the coming days, these designated biorepositories will develop uniform Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for sample collection, transportation, aliquoting, storage, and sharing.

The purpose of sharing clinical specimens by each biorepository and their intended use will be examined by the National Oversight Committee as well as the Institutional Human Ethics Committee.

“This is a very good news for Odisha and ILS, and the state government will fully support this initiative,” said Pradipta Mohapatra, ACS, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Odisha.