Network Laboratory
Under the leadership of Susan Eshleman of Johns Hopkins University, the Network Laboratory (NL) is responsible for collecting, testing and reporting results from biological samples; assisting in the development and quality assurance assessment of local laboratory capacity at the Clinical Trials Units (CTUs) participating in HPTN clinical trials; and identifying and implementing state-of-the-art assays and technologies to advance the scientific agenda of the Network.
The HPTN Network laboratory has developed a brief presentation as our way of introducing the HPTN NL to new sites and as an update to those sites we have worked with previously.
View Network Laboratory Introduction video
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Remembering Letanya Johnson-Lewis
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Network Laboratory Objectives
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CTU Laboratory Expectations
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Primary Network Lab (PNL) Assignments
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Quality Assurance Measurements
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Network Laboratory News
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Network Laboratory Resources
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Network Laboratory Staff and Affiliates
Remembering LeTanya Johnson-Lewis
Letanya Johnson-Lewis passed away February 20, 2013 at the age of 41 in South Africa, returning home from a HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) meeting and site visits. Letanya was Medical Technologist in the department of Pathology and SOM for 14 years. First joining the Hopkins family in 1999 as a hospital employee, she later transitioned to the SOM in 2008 as a Laboratory QA/QC Coordinator for the HPTN. Working as a member the of HIV Laboratory and HPTN Network Laboratory team, she worked tirelessly to effect changes in attitudes about HIV and HIV transmission. Her efforts are captured in many abstracts and journal articles. She was involved directly as a protocol team member for HPTN 043, 064, 068, 071, and 073. She performed specialized HIV testing for HPTN protocols. Always greeting everyone with a welcome smile, a warm hello and laughter, her energy and positivity were endless. A memorial fund in Letanya’s honor has been established. The fund will be used to help with the training of international Medical Technologists. To donate or learn more . . . |
Letanya Johnson-Lewis |
Network Laboratory Objectives
- Participate in management of the HPTN and establishment of the HPTN Scientific Agenda.
- Provide laboratory-based scientific leadership and consultation to the HPTN.
- Participate in HPTN protocol development and review.
- Collaborate with other National Institutes of Health (NIH)-sponsored HIV clinical trials networks to harmonize laboratory methods and maximize the efficiency of protocol development, implementation and analysis.
- Provide processing, storage and retrieval guidelines for domestic and international HPTN trial specimens.
- Provide QA for specimen processing, assay performance and specimen-related data transmission for testing performed at CTU laboratories.
- Provide training and infrastructure support in laboratory QA, assay performance and specimen shipping procedures at CTU laboratories.
- Provide continued opportunities for technology transfer, particularly to international HPTN laboratories.
- Perform novel and routine immunologic, virologic, pharmacologic and other testing for HPTN protocols.
- Evaluate and validate new assays for clinical trials of HIV prevention, with particular emphasis on assays that can be used in HPTN trials.
- Coordinate procedures for transmission of laboratory data to the HPTN SDMC
- Work with the Managing Partners and Cross Network Committees to harmonize laboratory procedures across DAIDS-sponsored networks.
- Develop QA/QC and training tools and materials for use in domestic and international laboratories across DAIDS-sponsored networks.
- Publish findings of assay development/evaluation and pathogenesis-based studies.
CTU Laboratory Expectations
CTU Laboratories are expected to do the following:
- Routine safety laboratory assays including hematology and chemistry
- HIV antibody testing
- CD4/CD8 cell counts
- HIV RNA PCR testing (preferably Roche AMPLICOR version 1.5)
- have adequate monitored specimen storage equipment and backup
- Meet IATA regulations for shipment of specimens
- Adhere to good clinical laboratory practices in performance of assays for HPTN trials
- Participate in proficiency testing panels and maintain adequate proficiency in protocol related testing
- Use the Laboratory Data Management System (LDMS) for specimen storage, tracking and shipping
Quality Assurance Measurements
The Quality Assurance (QA) staff at the Network Lab will measure the following parameters on an ongoing basis:
- Validation of assay runs
- Retesting
- Turn Around Time (TAT)
- Proficiency Testing
- Integrity and security of specimen repository
Network Laboratory News
- Memo regarding PBMC SOP version 4
- Cross Network PBMC Processing SOP Version 4
- GCLP Standards version 2.0 posted - PDF files of the GCLP Standards are available in the following languages: Chinese, English, French, Khmer, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai. (Please read the note on submitting comments regarding translations.)
Network Laboratory Resources
- LDMS Barcoding Documentation for the HPTN and MTN Networks
- LDMS Operational Plan
- Wet Mount Proficiency Test
- Johns Hopkins Center for Clinical Global Health Education Courses
- Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Cryopreservation
- CD4 Enumeration
- Specimen Management
- Western Blot Laboratory Training Course
- CD4 Flow Cytometry Q&A
- VQA HIV RNA Proficiency Testing
- Western
Blot Proficiency Testing
- Proficiency Tests are posted 2-3 times a year, a test is not currently posted.
- Proficiency Tests are posted 2-3 times a year, a test is not currently posted.
Network Laboratory Staff & Affiliates
Yaw Agyei get info
Robert C. Bollinger get info
Namandje Bumpus get info
Karen Carroll get info
William Clarke get info
Tynia Conley get info
Vanessa Cummings get info
Barbara Debevec get info
Susan Eshleman get info
Charlotte A. Gaydos get info
Lisa Heid get info
Craig Hendrix get info
Danielle Heyl get info
Sarah Hudelson get info
Danielle Jones get info
Lebah Lugalia get info
Joseph Margolick get info
Terry Parsons get info
Estelle Piwowar-Manning get info
Paul Richardson get info
Theresa Shapiro get info
Alexandra Valsamakis get info
Shauna Wolf get info
Michelle Xing get info
