What is the purpose of this facility?
NIAID's Malaria Research and Reference Reagent Resource Center (MR4) contract facility provides a versatile resource to the international malaria research community. The Resource Center acquires and distributes, to qualified investigators throughout the world, malaria-related research reagents, materials and protocols that satisfy quality assurance standards.

How does the MR4 operate?
All scientists who are engaged in malaria research are encouraged to contribute materials and to utilize this resource as depositors and registered users. Expansion, validation and quality control of these reagents is done in collaboration with the depositor and the MR4. If there is a need identified for specific reagents which are not otherwise available, the Research Center has resources to develop such reagents. Registration of all users is required for acceptance of the MR4 terms of safe shipping, use, and material transfer. A catalogue of the reagents with full reference to the depositor and his/her relevant publications is published annually in PDF format and the most current listing of available reagents are posted on the MR4 web site. Reagent information is accessioned to provide the origin and use of the material, often including references and protocols.

How does the MR4 acquire reagents?
NIAID and ATCC are proactive in contacting investigators who participate in MR4 Reagent Surveys and who publish on reagents of interest. Valuable reagents are also identified and acquired through review of publications and meeting reports, and interactions with researchers in academia, industry, and health care. All scientists and health care workers are encouraged to suggest reagents that should be acquired by MR4, or to offer materials that they believe will be of value to the scientific community. Members of the MR4 Advisory Group act as liaisons to the malaria community and will solicit deposits of interesting reagents from peers and colleagues. NIAID grantees will also be encouraged to make their reagents available through the MR4.

What categories of reagents are included in the MR4's catalog?
The Research Center offers reagents in the following broad categories:

• parasites
• anopheline vectors
• molecular reagents (libraries, oligonucleotides, plasmids,etc.)
• proteins (recombinant proteins, antigens, etc.)
• polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies
• hybridomas
• purified genomic DNAs and field samples

Note: For information on searching the catalog, click here.

How are priorities set for acquisition of reagents?
Direct investigator contact and consultation with the Advisory Board are primary determining factors in prioritizing acquisitions for the Research Center. In selecting reagents, the Research Center staff will also consider: 1) Demand; 2) Availability; 3) Quality of reagent and associated data; 4) Cost.

What is the reagent survey?
Scientists are encouraged to participate in MR4 reagent surveys and are strongly encouraged to contribute materials to MR4 through our deposit process. The reagent surveys help guide us to the reagents and reagent types most requested by scientists to help prioritize acquisitions. NIAID or the ATCC will contact responsive scientists with information on supplying reagents to the MR4.

Who can get reagents from the MR4?
Anyone who is engaged in research on malaria is encouraged to use this resource. Potential users will be required to register by furnishing information with respect to : 1) their qualifications; 2) the use of the reagents; 3) acceptance of responsibility for handling and delivery of the reagents; and 4) completion of the MR4 Material Transfer Agreement. Appropriate forms are provided to all potential users on the web site and within the MR4 catalog. Instructions for registration are available on this web site.

What is the purpose of registration?
Registration is the gateway to the MR4 and provides a number of benefits to all MR4 users. Registration numbers are assigned to ensure compliance in record-keeping, shipping and correspondence with each investigator. This also protects investigators' rights as depositors and requestors of reagents. If requested, registrants will be kept on a mailing (or email) list and, through direct mailings we can notify investigators of catalog updates, workshops and opportunities. MR4 staff are willing to answer questions and otherwise assist with the registration, deposit and reagent request process.

What are the rights of the depositor?
Many depositors participate in building the Research Center as a service to the malaria scientific community. Their wishes will be respected with regard to restrictions on distribution and commercial use of the reagent, as described in the Reagent Deposit Form. All users of reagents acquired from the Research Center are REQUIRED to acknowledge both the MR4 and the original depositor of the reagent. If commercial use is intended, where the reagent is likely to be the source material for development of a commercial product, the depositor's institutional Office of Technology Transfer MUST be consulted prior to such use of the reagent, and such use may be prohibited by the depositor.

What quantity of a reagent is available?
The primary intent of the MR4 is to provide reference amounts of reagents as standards or source materials for amplification. In some cases, the depositor will find it convenient to provide a small quantity of a renewable (amplifiable) reagent, for example hybridoma cells or malaria parasites. Such amounts may be too limited for distribution purposes. In those cases, the MR4 has resources for the production of a large quantity of the reagent either through a commercial vendor or other suitable source including the laboratory of the depositor.

How is quality of the reagent controlled?
The MR4 has full laboratory resources for authentication and quality control to assess purity of reagents.  For in vitro culture stocks, quality control includes viability and purity (including mycoplasma) testing of all lots amplified, produced and cryopreserved in MR4 labs.  Authentication testing relies on molecular assays specific to the reagent or culture in question.  In some cases, the depositor may be asked to confirm the biological properties of a reagent produced by or deposited with the MR4.

How are human tissue specimens being handled?
Specific criteria for collection and distribution of human biological materials are in the process of development. All human materials in the MR4 will be collected under protocols that have been reviewed and approved by appropriate review boards in accordance with national and international ethical standards.

How does the MR4 obtain feedback from the malaria community?
The MR4 Web Portal provides information on contacting the MR4, suggesting reagents, and identifies members of the MR4 Science Advisory board as research community liasons. One of the primary responsibilities of the Advisory Board is to interact with the community on behalf of the MR4 and to provide advice that is based on community feedback.