Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) Specimen Repository

The MACS collects and stores a variety of biological specimens. Inventory may be housed at the national level or a subset at the local level. The MACS Center for the Coordination and Analysis of MACS (CAMACS) coordinates and facilitates completion of specimen requests. 

More information about this resource is available at Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study Specimen Repository

Main Areas of Focus

  • To promote the widest possible range of uses of MACS specimens for current and future investigations that will expand current understanding of the epidemiology of HIV infection, disease progression, treatment use and outcomes, and related co-morbidities among HIV-positive individuals
  • To provide the platform for other HIV-related NIH-funded grants
  • To enable the evolution of a substantial clinical research database
  • To foster the development of the next generation of observational and clinical epidemiologists by remaining at the forefront in the collection and statistical analysis of observational data

Tools

MACS National/Central Repository

Specimen types available:

  • Serum
  • Plasma
  • Viable cells (PBMCs)
  • Dry cell pellets
  • Urine (whole and supernatant)
  • Saliva
  • Semen
  • Stool

Local/Clinical Site Repositories

  • Some specimen derivatives are stored locally, as well as various subsets of the national specimen inventory
  • If CAMACS deems no National Repository specimens to be available, specimens can be sought from local/clinical site repositories
  • The Clinical Site Principal Investigator or Project Director will coordinate access

MACS DNA Repository

  • Requests for DNA are submitted to MACS Center for the Coordination and Analysis of MACS (CAMACS)
  • CAMACS coordinates/completes DNA repository requests
  • DNA and/or existing genomics/GWAS data are available only from participants who provided appropriate consent for genetic studies

Immortalized B-cell lines created up to July 2004 (program ended thereafter) - only cell pellets will be distributed. CAMACS will coordinate access.

Who Can Use This Resource

  • Investigators must be registered with the NIH AIDS Reagent Program

How To Get Started

  • Visit the NIH AIDS Reagent Program website to register
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