Welcome to the USC Biorepository powered by OpenSpecimen

OpenSpecimen is an open source bio banking informatics application that tracks and manages specimens for clinical trials. You can access the OpenSpecimen documentation here. OpenSpecimen is managed by the Clinical Research Informatics (CRI) team at the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI).

Access OpenSpecimen
OpenSpecimen is NOT compatible with Microsoft Internet Explorer. Please use Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari browser.

USC biorepositories using OpenSpecimen

Things to Know Before Getting Started

  • Use of Openspecimen and its data is restricted to USC, CHLA, and DHS faculty, staff, students, and affiliates.
  • You must have an IRB approved protocol before creating a project in Openspecimen or retrieving any identified data sets.
  • The Project PI will control access to existing protocols.
  • iVIP accounts (aka USC NET IDs for guest users only) expire exactly one year from the date it was issued. You are responsible for tracking your own iVIP expiration and renewal process.
  • Sample distribution is managed by individual protocols/laboratories.

USC Biobank is funded by the USC Provost Instrumentation Fund.

How to get Access

  1. Complete Form 02 found here:
    1. Two lines above the dateline at the bottom of the form, there is a space for "Other", please enter Openspecimen in this area.
  2. Submit a ticket to the Keck Service Desk (ServiceDesk@med.usc.edu) requesting access to Openspecimen and attach the completed Form 02.

The Keck Service Desk will route to CRI for account creation. You can track the progress by referring to your Keck Service Desk ticket number. If you are still having issues, email us at support@sc-ctsi.org

  1. CHLA or DHS Staff Only - CHLA/DHS Faculty, Fellow and Residents do not need to request an iVIP account as they should already possess an active USC Net ID.
  2. For Non-USC and Non-CHLA Users - You must be working as a collaborator on a research project at USC, CHLA or DHS for access to Openspecimen.

The Keck Service Desk will route to CRI for account creation. You can track the progress by referring to your Keck Service Desk ticket number. If you are still having issues, email us at support@sc-ctsi.org

  1. You will need to obtain a USC Net ID (aka iVIP account) to access the system.
    1. Please complete this form, choose and check Openspecimen as the requested service on the form.
      1. CHLA Staff and Outside Collaborators, please forward the form to Warren Gabrillo wgabrillo@chla.usc.edu at CHLA who will facilitate CHLA sponsor sign-off.
      2. DHS Staff - TBD
      3. Keck Outside Collaborators, please ask the USC study PI to then forward the form to their Home Department Coordinator or Department Chair for sponsor sign-off.
  2. Complete Form 02 found here:
    1. Two lines above the dateline at the bottom of the form, there is a space for "Other", please enter Openspecimen in this area.
  3. Submit a ticket to the Keck Service Desk (ServiceDesk@med.usc.edu) requesting access to Openspecimen
    1. Attach the completed Form 02.
    2. Attached the iVIP signed by the correct sponsor.

The Keck Service Desk will route to CRI for account creation. You can track the progress by referring to your Keck Service Desk ticket number. If you are still having issues, email us at support@sc-ctsi.org


The following content is under development and we are temporarily using content from University of Texas Medical Branch - Institute for Translational Sciences.

How to Set-Up Your Protocol in OpenSpecimen

Follow the steps below to configure OpenSpecimen for your protocol. Click the links for more detailed information.

1) Gather the overall requirements of the project
Protocol Review / Video (Collecting requirements for a new protocol for use in OpenSpecimen)
Protocol Review Template ( a template to help you gather protocol information for OpenSpecimen, may not open in older versions of Internet Explorer)

2) Collect user information to be entered into OpenSpecimen
Institute and User Review (Setup by system administrator)

3) Preparing OpenSpecimen for the selected protocol
Configure the Collection Protocol
Configuring the Distribution Protocol

4) Preparing to use a Freezer
If using an existing freezer - Allocating Freezer Box Space
Or contact the super admin to map your existing freezer/s

5) Consents
Configuring Consent Tracking

6) Events and Specimen Requirements
Configuring Events
Configuring Specimen Requirements
Configuring Aliquots
Configuring Derivatives

7) Collection Protocol Settings
Configuring Collection Protocol Settings Includes: Auto generated labeling and manual labeling

This page is under development and we are temporarily using content from University of Texas Medical Branch - Institute for Translational Sciences.

Documents & Videos

This webpage is a step by step process for training in the use of OpenSpecimen. The order of the topics below are significant as they represent the typical workflow in the application. You may not need to use all of the topics below, but you may use this document for reference when needed.

Administrative Duties
Protocol Review / Video (Collecting requirements for a new protocol for use in OpenSpecimen)
Protocol Review Template ( a template to help you gather protocol information for OpenSpecimen, may not open in older versions of Internet Explorer)
Institute and User Review (Setup by system administrator)

Preparing OpenSpecimen for the selected protocol (setup & configuration)
Configuring a Collection Protocol
Configuring Collection Protocol Settings Includes: Auto generated labeling and manual labeling
Configuring Consent Tracking
Configuring Events
Configuring Specimen Requirements
Configuring Aliquots
Configuring Derivatives
Configuring a Distribution Protocol
Allocating Freezer Box Space

Data Entry
Registering Participants
Entering Consents
Recording a Participants Visit (no specimens collected)

Data Entry - Collecting Participant Specimens (planned, unplanned specimens, derivatives and aliquots)
Planned Specimens
Unplanned Specimens
Creating Derivatives
Creating Aliquots

Importing Data
Participants
Participant Registrations
Consents
Visits
Specimens
Specimen Derivatives
Specimen Aliquots
Master Specimens

Distribution
Specimen Cart
Distributing Specimens
Shipping and Tracking
Transfer Specimens