The Translational Research Subcore (TRS) supports clinical and socio-behavioral researchers with a multitude of study-beneficial services:
-
The HIV Specimen Repository contains plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) specimens linked to extensive clinical data
-
The Enhanced Data and Specimen Collection Service supports the prospective collection of clinical samples
-
HIV Research Study Participant Screening and Patient Referral supports the screening and recruitment of HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients into clinical, laboratory, and socio-behavioral research studies
-
Through Consultations we support study implementation including the provision of clinical space, phlebotomy etc.
Both basic and clinical scientists at CFAR benefit from the services and consultations of the subcore. Our dedicated research nurse at Harborview HIV clinic expedites the screening and enrollment of appropriate patients into new translational studies.
With our HIV Specimen Repository—which contains frozen plasma, serum, and PBMC specimens linked to extensive clinical data, we offer immediate access to large numbers of well characterized samples for translational studies. Contributions to this repository comprise a rich longitudinal collection of samples that reflect serial specimen donations (2-3X/year) with linkage to health data from electronic medical records, including clinical, virologic, immunologic, and demographic factors.
Through our Enhanced Data and Specimen Collection Service, we provide an infrastructure for lab-based investigators to obtain clinical specimens including rectal or GI biopsies.
Subcore faculty can assist with design, methods, quality assurance, and data interpretation in clinical studies of AIDS/HIV. They can partner with CFAR researchers to develop novel laboratory methods for determining viral loads in various compartments and correlating these HIV markers with clinical outcomes.
TRS provides a specimen collection service for IRB-approved investigators who lack the funds or infrastructure needed to procure the clinical specimens necessary for their research. Qualified HIV-positive and HIV-negative study participants can be identified via data queries.
Our current list of IRB approved specimen collection protocols is as follows:
The HIV Negative Registry is a registry of HIV-negative individuals who are interested in participating in HIV-related research and serving as controls when indicated. Clinical and behavioral data are collected at paid baseline and annual follow-up visits. Enrolled patients are requested to voluntarily provide a 10mL blood sample and complete a survey covering the following topics: social and demographic, drug history, and sexual history. The collected de-identified 10mL blood sample will be tested for HIV to determine patient’s continuing study eligibility.
We support screening and recruitment of eligible HIV-Infected patients into clinical and pathogenesis research studies via a dedicated research nurse.
This service is available to investigators to increase enrollment of HIV+ patients into research studies. Lindsay Legg, the HIV research coordinator, is effective at increasing enrollment in HIV studies. Ms. Legg reviews the records of UW HIV Registry patients visiting the HMC Madison Clinic and refers those who qualify to the appropriate research coordinator for enrollment.
The HIV Specimen Repository is a collection of frozen plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) specimens donated by HIV infected patients cared for at the University of Washington HIV clinics (the Madison and Roosevelt Virology Clinics).
Participating patients are asked to voluntarily donate up to 34 mL of blood annually. Blood is separated into plasma and PBMC fractions and frozen in aliquots of 1.5 mL (plasma) or 5 million cells (PBMC) and stored at the Harborview Retrovirology Laboratory.
TRS staff assist HIV/AIDS clinical studies with study design, methods, quality assurance, and data interpretation. We partner with CFAR researchers to develop novel laboratory methods for determining viral loads in various compartments and correlating these HIV markers with clinical outcomes.
TRS helps accelerate the funding and progress of many important studies, especially smaller pilot studies or those championed by new investigators who have limited budgets or require mentoring with clinical, laboratory, or regulatory aspects of their research.
For a list of our current and upcoming projects, please click here.
Co-Director
Co-Director
Research Scientist
Research Coordinator
Research Nurse
325 9th Ave
UW Box 359929
Seattle, WA 98104
cfartrs@uw.edu
(206) 744.6430