What is BioVU?
BioVU is Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s (VUMC) de-identified biorepository for banked DNA samples, prospective plasma collection, and catalogs of omics data, enabling research on genetic variation, biomarkers, disease susceptibility, and drug responses.
Type of Data
- DNA (banked)
- Plasma (prospectively collected with a small cohort of previously banked samples available)
- Omics data (current catalog includes genotyping and whole genome sequences)
Years Available
DNA banked from 2007 to present
Description
BioVU is Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s biobank of DNA extracted from leftover and otherwise discarded clinical blood specimens. BioVU operates as a consented biorepository; all individuals must sign the BioVU consent form to donate future specimens. BioVU participant records are de-identified and linked to the Synthetic Derivative (SD) enabling researchers to access samples or research data derived from samples as well as dense, longitudinal Electronic Health Record (EHR) information.
Strengths
- Over 350,000 DNA samples are banked, making BioVU one of the largest single-center EHR-based biobanks in the world.
- Integrated with SD for phenotypic research.
- Supports a wide range of genetic and biomarker studies
Limitation
- Records are de-identified, limiting re-identification or follow-up recruitment.
- Samples are collected following clinical needs, with a 3-5 day delay before DNA extraction and storage.
- Plasma-specific consideration: Due to storage procedures, some analytes may be undetectable.
Availability
- Please refer to this page for access requirements and processes.
- Access is limited to Vanderbilt-affiliated investigators following an application process.
Contact Person
- Resource Support: biovu@vumc.org
- Deepthi Pemmaraju (Operations Manager): manideepthi.pemmaraju@vumc.org
- Brandy Mapes (Operations Director): brandy.mapes@vumc.org
- Alex Bick (Principal Investigator): alexander.bick@vumc.org