von Briesen HIV Specimen Cryorepository

OVERVIEW:

The goal of this project is to establish a state-of-the-art specimen repository, the HIV Specimen Cryorepository (HSC), where samples and reagents relevant for HIV vaccine development can be stored under controlled low-temperature conditions for long term preservation and for sharing among collaborating laboratories.

The HSC has established a large-scale centralized cryostorage facility for HIV-1 related specimens and reagents. During the three year pilot phase of the project the consortium has created a novel cryobanking concept that provides the technological and biophysical prerequisites for secure and expandable cryobiotechnology in support of the CAVD.

The HSC network develops novel procedures for optimized sample processing and storage both of clinical specimens such as immune cells or virus stocks from regional centers and for reagents generated elsewhere in the CAVD consortia. In addition, the cryorepository provides training and capacity building for regional centers and technology transfer to the CAVD consortia. All new technology developed by this network is made available for HIV/AIDS vaccine development throughout the CAVD including other Vaccine Immune Monitoring Consortia (VIMCs) and Vaccine Discovery Consortia (VDCs).

The generated specimens stored at HSC include: (i) clinical samples and virus strains from the field, (ii) reagents developed by vaccine discovery centers (e.g. hybridomas, clones, peptides) and (iii) bioreagents generated by HSC (e.g. HIV-1 Env pseudovirus stocks).

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES:

The HSC responds to the needs of the CAVD network of collaborators through the following tasks:

HIV Cryobank: Improving current sample manipulation and cryotechnology and providing pro-active project support to address the needs of the CAVD research activities.
Extended Sample Provision: Serving as the link to other global HIV vaccine initiatives such as CHAVI and IAVI.
Technology Harmonization: Adapting and transfering novel cryotechnology to other CAVD partners. Linking clinical study sites and supports the regional cryorepository in Cape Town for strategic and efficient use by clinical and research groups in South Africa.
Bioreagent Generation: Fostering the production of large-scale standardized HIV-1 Env-pseudovirus stocks in cooperation with the Antibody Vaccine Immune Monitorying Consortium through an automated certified system.
Sample-Data-Sample Loop: Creating a system to tightly link teh data source (the samples from which the data is generated) to the generated data during the sample’s life cycle in collaboration with Vaccine Immunology Statistical Center.

PROGRESS:

In the initial phase of the project Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) were introduced. Different combinations of serum free cryomedia and improved cryoprocedures were tested. Interim standard operating procedures for freezing and thawing were developed.

Different designs and prototypes of cryosubstrates were developed in the first year. Injection molding production started in the second year and the HSC cooperated with the company Perma Cryo Technology (PCT) to produce the substrates industrially.

New cryoequipment were developed in collaboration with the company ASKION. The first company-made prototypes of the cryoequipment were delivered in December 2007 and the second generation of prototypes were delivered in July 2008. The third generation of prototypes were delivered in July 2009 and the volume production of cryosubstrates started in June/July 2009.

During the first three years of the project, the HSC provided training and capacity building for regional centers and technology transfer to one of the research sites. The reagents generated, key information about these reagents, as well as all new technology developed by this network have been made available for vaccine development throughout the CAVD.

A HSC Web Portal has been developed to offer a specimen catalog to search and order HIV specimens of the HSC cryorepository.

As of September 2009, more than 1,000 types of samples are stored in the cryobank. These specimens can be ordered via the online inventory (www.ghrc.info).

The HSC reacted to needs emerging within the CAVD consortium by offering activities:
* The production of monoclonal antibodies
* Centralized production of GCLP conform HIV-1 Env-pseudovirus stocks
* PBMC cryo project for standardized processing and cryopreservation between HSC, Ab VIMC and T-Cell VIMC was initiated in July 2008.