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In partnership with the Corielle Institute for Biomedical Research in the US, the Institute of Human Virology H3Africa Biorepository (I-HAB) upgraded its repository practices and infrastructure to meet international standard to receive, store, and distribute biological research samples obtained in the H3Africa Initiative. I-HAB also advocates for host government and community support. The goals of this full-scale biorepository is to operate at international standards to receive and distribute samples from and to investigators in Africa, and eventually beyond. In doing so, the biorepository processes and stores high quality primary human biological samples obtained from the H3Africa research projects; develop, implement, manage and support computer tools to support biorepository functions; establish effective administrative governance and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures; conduct training and establish best practices in biobanking and biorepository ethics.

The ultimate goal of this project is to develop a state-of-the-art world class biorepository of well annotated stored biospecimens widely available to the H3Africa Consortium, African and International researchers for genomic discovery projects. The information obtained from the genomic analysis of the samples will allow researchers to develop or test new diagnostic tests, personalize treatment options, and develop new treatment methods. Over the course of this project, the Integrated Biorepository of H3Africa Uganda has developed capacity to perform biorepository services; collect/receive, process, store and ship Biospecimen as per international standards and has developed training resources in biorepository science and management. The IBRH3AU Biorepository has a well annotated collection of various Biospecimen (DNA, RNA, PBMCs, Serum, Plasma, e.t.c.) and associated phenotypic data held at H3ABionet accessible through the H3Africa data and Biospecimen access committee (DBAC).