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The Clinical Investigation Core, through the UC San Diego AntiViral Research Center (AVRC), provides facilities and personnel to collect specimens from HIV-infected persons and distribute them to investigators' laboratories.
The AVRC laboratory and staff are equipped to draw blood and separate plasma or serum. Facilities and staff are also equipped to obtain frequent blood samples for pharmacokinetics or viral kinetics studies. Freezer space is available on-site for temporary storage.
Specimens other than blood may also be obtained at the AVRC. The staff is experienced in collection and proper handling of the following:
AVRC laboratory staff manage an efficient courier system that allows flexibility to accommodate the needs of collaborating scientists. Deliveries are made daily between Noon and 2:00 p.m. to clinical and basic science laboratories on the UC San Diego campus and the greater San Diego area.
Laboratory staff are also experienced in shipping specimens via multiple courier services that require adherence to strict biohazard safety regulations.
Owen Clinic patients who participate in CNICS are invited to contribute peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma to the CNICS specimen repository. UCSD CFAR investigators desiring access to specimens only from the UCSD CNICS site can submit a request through the UCSD CFAR Clinical Investigation and Biostatistics Core. Investigators desiring access to CNICS Specimens from non-UCSD sites should submit a request through the CNICS specimen webform.