{"id":22,"date":"2012-07-04T21:02:44","date_gmt":"2012-07-05T04:02:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/acsr\/?page_id=22"},"modified":"2026-04-09T20:24:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T03:24:22","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.acsr1.com\/?page_id=22","title":{"rendered":"FAQS"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhat is the ACSR?\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tThe ACSR is a repository that provides biospecimens to funded IRB-approved researchers in the area of HIV cancer. To accomplish this, the ACSR supports an inventory of more than 300,000 human HIV biospecimens and appropriate controls. The ACSR serves as the only comprehensive repository of specimens and clinical data reflecting both the pre-HAART and post-HAART era of the U.S. HIV epidemic and selected sites in the global pandemic.<\/span>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tHow much do biospecimens cost?\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tThe ACSR identifies, collects, preserves, enhances and disburses biospecimens at no cost to investigators engaged in HIV cancer studies or other HIV related investigations.<\/span>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhat associated data comes with the biospecimens?\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t
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The ACSR collects clinical information from each participant when available, but minimally requires gender, age, HIV status and specimen diagnosis for biospecimens to be included in the inventory. Additionally, the ACSR records other available pertinent data relevant to current HIV research goals, such as CD4 counts and treatment. For more specific information about available data, please contact the ACSR via email at contact@acsr1.com<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t

\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tHow many biospecimen samples can I request?\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t
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Researchers may apply to receive any number of biospecimens. The determination of how many biospecimens will be disbursed can vary with each request and will be dependent upon the availability of biospecimens, as well as the relevance of the number of requested biospecimens to the proposed study.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t

\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tDo you have a catalog or a list of biospecimens that are available?\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t
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The ACSR database contains more than 300,000 individual biospecimens\u00a0with associated clinical information Please follow the following like to see the most current summary of the types of cancers and specimens<\/strong><\/a> in the general collection. Investigators interested in requesting biospecimens are highly encouraged to address their inquiries directly to the ACSR for complete and up to date information regarding biospecimen availability. \u00a0For assistance, contact us<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t

\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhere do you get your biospecimens?\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t
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Each ACSR Regional Biospecimen Repository collects biospecimens under\u00a0Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP)<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines and with local IRB approvals. Biospecimens are collected from consented individuals living with HIV; NIH-funded HIV clinical treatment trials and anonymous remnant samples from HIV surgical and autopsy biospecimens (coded and anonymous samples from pathology archived, fixed and embedded materials); as well as other biorepositories as approved by biospecimen use and material transfer agreements.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t

\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tDoes the ACSR distribute tissue microarrays?\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t
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Yes. The ACSR provides special biospecimen collections through\u00a0tissue microarrays (TMA)<\/strong><\/a> and DNA libraries.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t

\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tDoes the ACSR provide tissue to Commercial Entities?\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t
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Yes. \u00a0The ACSR does provide biospecimens to commercial entities, with the understanding that they are provided for research purposes only. Biospecimens and their products are not sold and may not be used for commercial purposes. Additionally biospecimens must NOT be distributed to third parties for purposes of sale or producing for sale.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t

\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tDoes the ACSR serve investigators outside the United States?\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t
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Yes. The ACSR encourages scientific exploration and discovery in HIV cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t

\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tHow to request specimens?\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t
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The ACSR solicits Letters of Intent (LOI) from investigators throughout the year with a minimum of paperwork. The application process is simple and straightforward. For more information, read How to Apply<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t

\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tHow do I know if I should fill out a Standard Form or a Feasibility (Short) Form Letter of Intent (LOI)?\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t
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The Feasibility (Short) Form LOI<\/a><\/strong> is designed for pilot studies where specimens are needed for test development, quality control, and\/or preliminary research. The Short Form LOI allows a researcher to request up to 20 biospecimens on a\u00a0one-time basis\u00a0<\/strong>for a particular study. The Standard Form LOI<\/a><\/strong> is used for all other requests. For further clarification regarding the application process, please contact the ACSR via email at\u00a0contact@acsr1.com<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t

\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhere do I submit my LOI?\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t
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Electronic submission of completed Letters of Intent (LOIs) is preferred. For assistance, contact us<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t

\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tHow long does it take the ACSR to serve a request?\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t
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Notification of approval or denial of biospecimens will be emailed 1-2 weeks from Feasibility (Short) Form submissions and approximately 4-6 weeks from Standard LOI submissions.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t

\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tHow do I resolve webpage response and performance issues?\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t
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We are delighted to share our newly redesigned website, with a bold new look, features and enhanced navigation, including an interactive inventory explorer. Because our website is still in its beta version, there maybe be digital hiccups or virtual road blocks along the way. Your feedback is important! \u00a0Please email us at contact@acsr1.com<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>if you encounter a broken link or feel that something should be reviewed or enhanced.<\/p>\n

Webpage T<\/strong>roubleshooting<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Internet Explorer: Due to browser incompatibility our website and inventory explorer are not fully functional in Internet Explorer. If you are using Internet Explorer we recommend Firefox and Chrome for an optimal experience.<\/li>\n
  2. Clearing Your Browser Cache: If you are experiencing problems displaying ACSR\u00a0pages, clearing the browser cache is a good first step to try to resolve the issue. Instructions for clearing your browser cache will be different for each browser and version.\n