The Serological Sciences Network, or SeroNet, has a serological sample collection derived from reference and longitudinal studies available by request to interested investigators.

Please use the form below to begin the sample request process. If approved, requestors are responsible for the cost of shipping. All approved requests will require a material transfer agreement (MTA) and report on sample use.

Jump to Request Form

All samples were collected under IRB approved protocols from consenting participants. Redacted protocols and consent form content are available upon request.

Reference Study

The Reference Study supported development of the National SARS-CoV-2 Serology Standard, assay validation panels, and other controls. 

Four SeroNet Capacity Building Centers collected large volume of sera and PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) from 2020-2021 (prior to vaccine availability). They collected samples from unvaccinated individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 and from unvaccinated, uninfected individuals. 

The sample and data collection for the Reference Study includes:

  • Aliquoted serum and limited vials of PBMCs at 106million cells per vial, typically at 1 mL
  • Demographic and clinical data for 909 participants
    • 53% female
    • Age range from 15 to 80 years old 
  • Detailed information on race and ethnicity
  • Serology results for SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious diseases

Sample testing

We tested samples for SARS-CoV-2 infection and antibody levels through a rigorous process that tested each sample for IgG and IgM antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins.

  • Capacity Building Centers tested all samples for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity using different immunoassays
  • The Frederick National Laboratory COVID-19 Serology Laboratory tested samples using an ELISA assay
  • Two external laboratories performed additional confirmatory testing

Email SeroNetCoordinatingCenter@nih.gov for questions and inquiries.

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SARS-COV-2 SeroPositivity

  • 67% spike IgG
  • 11% spike IgM
  • 33% nucleocapsid IgG
  • 16% nucleocapsid IgM 

Seropositivity for other infections

  • 95% EBV
  • 47% CMV
  • 98% seasonal coronavirus

Data availability

SeroNet is leveraging ImmPort, a sustainable immunological data warehouse from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, for public sharing of SeroNet data. 

The Reference Study data is available in ImmPort under SDY2656. You may also contact SeroNetCoordinatingCenter@nih.gov for access to AWS QuickSight, a dynamic filtering and visualization tool for sample selection or for assistance in identifying samples of interest. 

Use the form below to request standardized assay panels.

Longitudinal Study

The Longitudinal Serosurveillance Study aimed to understand the immune responses to COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection. 

Between 2021 and 2024, four SeroNet Capacity Building Centers collected samples from 3,284 participants, including healthy and immunocompromised populations. 

The study collected demographic and clinical data for all participants.

Demographic data summary

  • 61% female
  • 67% white 
  • Age range 0 to 89 years old

Cohorts

  • 1,879 participants in the general population
  • 51% in Comorbidity Cohort (with one or more reported comorbidities or chronic conditions)
  • 49% in Health Cohort (with no reported comorbidities or chronic conditions)

The Capacity Building Centers collected more detailed information from participants in select cohorts (e.g. time of diagnosis, treatment).

Number of participants in select cohorts

  • 741 in Cancer Cohort
  • 170 in Irritable Bowel Disease Cohort
  • 187 in HIV Cohort
  • 307 in Transplant Recipient Cohort 

Study visits, vaccination data

  • Average 4.7 visits per participant
  • Collection timepoints strategically aligned for before and after vaccine administration or infection
    • 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 360 days 
  • Vaccination status ranged from unvaccinated to vaccinated with homologous and heterologous primary series and booster doses.

Data availability

The Longitudinal Study data is publicly available through ImmPort, study SDY2931. 

For access to the AWS QuickSight tool, a dynamic filtering and visualization tool for sample selection, or for assistance in identifying samples of interest, you may contact SeroNetCoordinatingCenter@nih.gov.

Use the form below to start the sample request process.

SeroNet Sample Request Form

OMB No.: 0925-0775
Expiration Date:  06/30/2025

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 120 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: NIH, Project Clearance Branch, 6705 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7974, Bethesda, MD 20892-7974, ATTN: PRA (0925-0775). Do not return the completed form to this address.

Basic information

Collection request

All data is de-identified and publicly shared. Please indicate below your selected collection(s). You will be prompted to insert more detailed information depending on your selection. Both collections include peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum.
SeroNet Collections

Research use

Describe how these samples will be used to achieve your objectives (~1 page).

 Please include the following:

  • Specific aims and a description of how samples will support them.
  • Number and volume of samples requested.
  • Technologies to be used.
  •  A statistical plan in support of the number of samples requested.  
  • Indicate if you are supplementing your study with other samples and identify their source to provide a sense of the total study size. 
  • Evidence of expertise in the area of work such as a recent publication. 

Please clarify in your proposal if serum and PBMCs are being requested from the Reference Study or the Longitudinal Study.

To request data queries, access to a visualization and filtering tool, and/or for assistance in sample selection or determining sample availability (strongly encouraged), contact SeroNetCoordinatingCenter@nih.gov.  

You may either 1) Type or paste your text into the field below OR 2) Upload a separate file.

Successful applications are typically a few paragraphs long. Please do not submit more than two pages.

Type or paste your study description in the textbox.
Upload a document file with your study description. No more than 2 pages. Title of the document should include your last name and “SeroNet Sample Request.”
One file only.
50 MB limit.
Allowed types: txt, rtf, pdf, doc, docx.

Reference Study PBMC and serum samples

Please select the samples you are interested in. You may select SARS-CoV-2 serology positive or negative samples and you may specify status of some additional viral markers.

Leave the box blank or select the default -None- option if it does not apply to your request.

A limited number of PBMC vials (10 million cells/mL per vial) is available per donor at a given time point. Please insert the number of donors and volume of sera per donor (ÎĽL) in the indicated textboxes. If you are interested in PBMCs and serum, select whether samples need to be from the same donors, demographically matched, or leave blank if it is not applicable.

If you're requesting multiple types of samples, click the Add button at the bottom of the table to insert another request. If you want to remove a row, click the - symbol next to the row you want to remove.

Sample type Infections (optional) PBMC Serum Correlated PBMC and serum?
Number of donors
Volume of requested sera per donor in ÎĽL
Select which option most accurately describes your preference for the relationship between the PBMC and serum.
Particular antibody combinations

Reference Study samples were tested extensively for antibody response. Are you interested in biospecimens with particular nucleocapsid and spike antibody isotype combinations (IgG and IgM)?

Longitudinal Study PBMC and serum samples

Cohort

Please select the cohort(s) of interest.
Timepoints from vaccination or infection events

Please state the timepoints from vaccination or infection events you are the most interested in receiving. Compliance to time window will vary but samples will be discussed prior to distribution.  

You may select multiple timepoints.

Timepoints all have a +/- 15 day variance. Many out of window visits are also available.
Vaccination Status of interest
Longitudinal set
Year of Collection

More information

Thank you for providing information concerning cohorts and metadata for sample selection. We will work with you further on refining which available samples meet your criteria. If approved, requestors are responsible for the cost of shipping.

Access public data sets associated with the samples through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases' ImmPort platform:

For more information or help in identifying samples that meet your criteria reach out to our team at SeroNetCoordinatingCenter@nih.gov.

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