REAGENT RESOURCE SUPPORT FOR AIDS VACCINE DEVELOPMENT

Quality Biological, Inc., Gaithersburg MD

Investigators

Abstract

The objectives of this contract focus on the production, procurement, quality assessment, and distribution of research reagents in support of DAIDS-funded HIV vaccine development. 1 - Acquire by purchase or other arrangement and then characterize quantities of viral gene products (e.g., HIV-1, SIV) for distribution for use by DAIDS-supported investigators. 2- Acquire and characterize immunologic adjuvants, immunomodulators, and vaccine delivery systems for use in experimental HIV vaccine formulations. 3- Generate working quantities of specialized viral gene products or other reagents not readily available through purchase. 4- Clone retroviral genes into appropriate prokaryotic expression vectors and perform quality assurance testing of these vectors and genes as required by the Project Officer. 5- Prepare and characterize hybridomas and monoclonal antibodies as required by the Project Officer. 6- Maintain an electronic inventory of reagents and stock and a database of all reagent analysis results. 7- Maintain and distribute all stocks and reagents as required and keep a tracking system in which any given sample can be traced from receipt through processing, storage and distribution.