Collecting and analyzing biological samples to understand the human virome.

Biospecimen Collection Core

NIH-funded research University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10990013

This study is looking for healthy volunteers to help us gather samples from different parts of the body, like your mouth and gut, so we can learn more about the viruses that live in us and how they change over time, which could help improve our understanding of overall health.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pennsylvania NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-10990013 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on collecting high-quality biological samples from healthy participants to study the human virome, which includes the collection of specimens from various biological niches such as oral, respiratory, gut, and blood. The project aims to engage participants that represent the average health status of the population, ensuring that the samples are rigorously collected, stored, and managed. By analyzing these samples, researchers hope to uncover relationships among virome communities and how they evolve over time, contributing to a better understanding of human health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include generally healthy children and adults who can provide biological samples.

Not a fit: Patients with existing health conditions or those who do not meet the criteria for healthy participants may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to significant insights into the human virome, potentially improving health outcomes and informing future treatments.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding microbial communities through similar biospecimen collection approaches, indicating a promising avenue for this investigation.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.