The addition of proteomic and transcriptomic analyses to the database, as well as the expansion of previous data, will help scale up researchers’ understanding of SARS-CoV-2 virus host infections
Montreal, QC. Oct 22, 2021— The Biobanque québécoise de la COVID-19 (BQC19) is pleased to announce a significant increase in the amount of data it is making available to researchers. COVID-19 scientists can now access two new data sets, namely proteomic and transcriptomic data, both sets derived from the growing bank of BQC19 samples. In addition to the two new data sets, there are additional clinical and phenotypic data, as well as genomic data that will enhance the current collection.
“This is really scaling up our efforts to better understand the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and the molecular events that are driving the disease,” says Guillaume Bourque, Director of the Canadian Centre for Computational Genomics at the McGill University, who is responsible for BQC19’s data management.
The BQC19 clinics have recruited participants from around the province who have consented to have their data and blood collected to help understand and fight COVID-19. To date, 3,189 Quebecers have donated blood samples at nine different clinical sites in four regions of the province, with 25,000 samples now available to researchers. The BQC19 has been sharing with researchers from around the world data, specimens and analyses derived from blood samples and information from the participants. The new data sets include approximately 2,000 proteomic profiles, enabling researchers to examine approximately 5,000 proteins. There are also 954 units of transcriptomic data, which measure the expression of RNA molecules. Additionally, the release now includes arrival, hospitalization, discharge and follow-up information on 2,900 participants, and 691 new genomic data sets for a total of 1,491 sets.
“A unique feature of the BQC19 is the diversity of the data it makes available. The scale is massive, and for this reason, we also provide pre-computed analyses to enable researchers, who would not necessarily have all the resources required, to perform exciting experiments.” says Bourque, who adds that these new releases will benefit a wide array of researchers diving deeply into the mysteries of the continuing enigma that is COVID. “The greater amounts and variety of data you have, the greater the chances you have for making discoveries.”