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  

 

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

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

Network Laboratory Resources

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