Establishment of Biobank of Nasal Epithelium Samples From Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

Background: Infections in the lower respiratory tract (lungs) are the leading cause of death from infectious disease worldwide. This was true even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Respiratory viruses are still a major health threat. Many of these viruses infect people by penetrating the thin skin that lines the nose. These viruses can also spread easily to other people when they multiply in the tissues that line the nose. Researchers want to learn more about what these viruses do inside the nose, how they get from the nose to the lungs, and how they spread from person to person. Objective: To collect cell samples from inside the noses of healthy people. These cells will be stored for use in future research on respiratory diseases. Eligibility: Healthy volunteers aged 18 years and older. Design: Most participants will have 1 visit on 1 day. They will be asked questions. Those who have a runny nose, coughing, congestion, or fever will be asked to wait up to 21 days before participating. Participants will be given a slender swab with small bristles at the end. They will rub the inside of their nose with the swab. A clinic staff member will be present to help, if needed. Participants will provide their name, age, and sex. This information will be encoded so that only certain researchers will know the participants identities. Participants will not be contacted again....

Primary Outcome

To obtain nasal epithelium brushes from healthy volunteers for 1) establishment of upper respiratory tract organoids, 2) assay validation, and 3) use for research into the pathogenesis of emerging respiratory viruses.

Conditions Studied

Study Locations (1)