The Ragon’s Processing Lab, which opened in 2006, provides researchers studying HIV/AIDs and COVID-19 with prepared PBMCs, plasma, DNA, and different COVID-19 specimen types.

After receiving HIV+ and HIV- human blood donations from local hospitals, the Processing Lab isolates blood plasma, DNA, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells and stores them in a sample repository available to Ragon researchers. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the lab has also processed hundreds of types of COVID-19 samples from MGH patients, storing and distributing thousands of samples. In addition to maintaining and expanding the CIDB [link to CIDB] and sample repositories, the Processing Lab also provides training to guests and members of the Institute.