Here we provide an overview of the POMMS Biorepository and how researchers can request access to its samples and data. This study has generated a clinical sample biorepository resource consisting of feces, plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and microbial isolates from adolescents with severe obesity undergoing weight management intervention. Using these biorepository samples, this study has also generated datasets consisting of 16S rRNA gene sequencing, shotgun DNA sequencing, and targeted metabolomics. We are making these sample, strain, and dataset resources accessible to the research community as described below.
Information about these different sample and data resources will be listed on this website as they are generated and updated as samples, strains, and data are acquired and archived into the repository. Outside investigators who wish to access samples, strains, and data must submit a short resource access proposal to the Steering Committee via email. Resource access proposals will be received by the Steering Committee and reviewed together at least three times per year. Once requests that do not entail clinical samples or clinical data are approved scientifically, the requested materials and data will be provided to the requestor(s) by material shipping or specific links to the data in the repository. For requests entailing clinical samples and linked clinical data, we will seek guidance and approval of the IRB for the transfer of data and clinical samples. Original informed consent documents will specify permissions for sharing of samples. We will also seek assurances from the investigator’s home institution regarding confidentiality and use of the data, strains, and samples through a Research Agreement. For those resource access proposals that are denied, the requestor(s) will be permitted to submit an appeal that will be reviewed on an ad hoc basis by the Internal Advisory Committee. In those cases, the Internal Advisory Committee may request further justification from the Steering Committee as to the reasons for the access denial. After a complete review of the initial request and the Steering Committee’s justification for denial, the Internal Advisory Committee will have the authority to override the Steering Committee’s decision to grant access. The Internal Advisory Committee’s decision on the appeal will be final. The Steering Committee will also provide a complete list of fulfilled and unfulfilled access proposals to the Advisory Committee at least twice per year to promote transparency and to seek feedback on their management of these resources.
