ECHORN Biorepository
The ECHORN Biorepository is the first of its kind in the region, designed to facilitate the study of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Both the Adult and Pediatric ECHORN cohort studies contain an optional biobanking portion, through which biological samples (blood, saliva, and urine) are collected from a subset of adult and child participants and stored for use in current and future studies. These specimens are analyzed to explore and identify early predictors of non-communicable diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The ECHORN Biorepository is held within ECHORN Coordinating Center.
The ECHORN Biorepository is careful to protect the identities of participants. Each sample receives a unique code. Researchers only receive coded samples and information. They are not able to link the code to the participant. Strict security safeguards are in place to reduce the chance of misuse or unplanned release of information.
Adult Biobank
At baseline, a random sub-sample of Adult ECHORN Cohort Study (Adult ECS) participants were asked to donate blood to the ECHORN biorepository for future research. The samples of 635 participants from the islands of Barbados, St. Thomas, and Puerto Rico were collected. Collection of Wave 2 follow-up samples, including blood and urine, is ongoing.
Pediatric Biobank
At baseline, Pediatric ECHORN Cohort Study participants are invited to donate blood and saliva to the ECHORN biorepository for future research. Recruitment for collection of baseline samples is ongoing.
