2025

  • 110 projects approved for samples
  • 20th manuscript using Biobank samples and/or data published

2024

  • First manuscript using Biobank tissue samples published
  • 18th manuscript using Biobank samples/and or data published
  • 106 total projects approved for Biobank samples
  • 23,050+ samples shipped to researchers through 2024

2023

  • Launched tissue pipeline program for researchers to study Biobank tissues
  • Blood, urine, and tissue sample collection surpasses 1250 participants
  • 97 total projects approved for Biobank samples
  • 19,500+ samples shipped to researchers through 2023

2022

  • 10th manuscript using Biobank samples and/or data published
  • Blood and urine sample collection surpasses 1150 participants
  • 84 total projects approved for Biobank samples
  • 15,500+ samples shipped to researchers through 2022

2021

  • First tissue samples distributed to researchers
  • Blood and urine sample collection surpasses 1,000 participants
  • 70 total projects approved for Biobank samples
  • Additional funding provided by the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation
  • 13,000+ samples shipped to researchers through 2021

2020

  • Biobank manuscript published on the characterization of 550 samples
  • First surgical samples collected from knee and hip replacements
  • 63 total projects approved for Biobank samples
  • 10,000+ samples shipped to researchers through 2020

2019

  • Sites added for chronic/persistent Lyme disease
    – In Santa Rosa and San Rafael in collaboration with Gordon Medical Associates
    – In San Diego in collaboration with Osteopathic Medical Associates of San Diego
  • First tissue samples donated to Biobank
  • Tissue collection program expanded to include surgical samples from joint replacements
  • 49 total projects approved for Biobank samples
  • 7,000+ samples shipped to researchers through 2019

2018

  • Lyme Disease Tissue Collection Program launched for post-mortem tissue
  • Launched Discovery Panel program to attract new researchers to the field of Lyme
  • 30 total projects approved for Biobank samples
  • 3,000+ samples shipped to researchers through 2018

2017

  • Site added at Massachusetts General Hospital for later/more complicated presentations of Lyme disease (neuroborreliosis and Lyme carditis)
  • Established partnership with NDRI and held planning meeting with tissue experts
  • First California site added in Mountain View, CA
  • 12 total projects approved for Biobank samples
  • 1,000+ samples shipped to researchers through 2017

2016

  • Key funding provided by Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation
  • Collection sites added in collaboration with Marshfield Clinical Research Institute, WI
  • First blood samples distributed to approved researchers
  • First seven inaugural projects approved to receive Biobank samples

2015

  • Lyme Disease Biobank launched
  • Site added in Martha’s Vineyard in partnership with Vineyard Center for Clinical Research

2014

  • Project conceived as National Lyme Biorepository (NLB)
  • Liz Horn, PhD, MBI, hired as Principal Investigator
  • Project seeded with Fund-A-Need at 2014 LymeAid®
  • Collection site established at East Hampton Family Medicine, Long Island, NY

2013

  • NIST Lyme disease workshop—key participants: Wendy Adams; John Aucott, MD; Charles Chiu, MD/PhD; Carin Rollins; David Roth
  • Feasibility and due diligence study conducted by Liz Horn, PhD, MBI