The NBSTRN Virtual Repository for Dried Blood Spots is a centralized, web-based tool to access specimens for newborn screening related research and program development. This virtual repository presents information from participating states and provides a centralized, de-identified view of dried blood spots, allowing researchers to browse and query for specimens. For public health departments, the virtual repository provides the ability to review and manage specimen requests, generate orders, track shipments, and view researcher feedback regarding the specimens they have received.
In October of 2008, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) was awarded a 5-year contract by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) to develop the National Coordinating Center for the Newborn Screening Translational Research Network (NBSTRN).
Among the National Coordinating Center goals, the NBSTRN will develop resources and infrastructure that provides the research community access to robust newborn screening resources. One of these key resources is the Virtual Repository of Dried Blood Spots (VRDBS).