Added value
The current landscape of immunological measurement methods in Germany is characterised by marked heterogeneity. Various research institutions, university hospitals and laboratories use a wide range of methods and protocols, which are often only comparable to a limited extent. This complicates the nationwide and coordinated collection of immunological data and limits the ability to generate valid, reproducible and scalable results. Standardised testing procedures are essential, particularly in crisis situations, to ensure rapid, reliable and comprehensive immunological surveillance.
COVIM supports the core objectives of the NUM by making a significant contribution to the establishment of a nationwide, interoperable study and data platform for clinical research. This includes, in particular, the standardised, multicentre immunological analysis of biological samples from clinical trials (for example, from the NUM Study Network, NUM SN) via the COVIM measurement platform, as well as their AI-supported, federated analysis in the ImmunoHub. By providing high-dimensional and harmonised immunity data, COVIM strengthens the NUM’s shared data and research space and supplements existing infrastructures with immunological analysis that has not yet been standardised nationwide.