NHP Reagent Resource

NIH Nonhuman Primate Reagent Resource

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FAQs - NIH Nonhuman Primate Reagent Resource

Resource Reagents

1. Who may order reagents from the NHP Reagent Resource?

Any academic or commercial investigator may register to order reagents from the NHP Reagent Resource. In the event that supplies are limited, preference will be given to NIH-funded investigators. However, funding from the NIH is not a requirement for participation.

2. Are Material Transfer Agreements required?

Registration in the NHP Reagent Resource program is required to receive reagents. The registration form is available here. We have attempted to provide as many materials as possible solely under the terms of this agreement. However, some reagents obtained through the ATCC or from some companies may require an additional MTA. This requirement is disclosed in the description of each reagent. We will advise you of this requirement when the order is placed or you can submit a request for more information here.

3. What is the cost of reagents?

Most reagents for in vitro diagnostics (fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies, antibodies for in vitro use, recombinant proteins) are provided at no cost. We recover the production cost for most reagents for in vivo administration. The cost of each reagent is shown on the product description page. Costs are actual expense of production and do not include any "markup" or overhead.

4. Are there limits on how much I can order?

For reagents provided at no cost, two units (typically 100 tests or 1 mg) can be provided per year. If larger amounts are needed, please contact us to explain your need and approval from NIH program officials will be requested. There are no limits on reagents for in vivo administration that are subject to cost recovery.

5. What reagents are kept in stock?

All reagents listed in the Resource Reagents section are in stock and available unless otherwise noted. If you anticipate needing an unusually large amount of a particular reagent, we would appreciate know this before you place the first order so production can be planned to keep it in stock.

6. Who pays for shipping?

At the time of registration, we require you to provide a courier service account number that can be billed for shipping charges. We typically ship via FedEx and UPS domestically, FedEx and World Courier for international shipments. We will do our best to accommodate your preferred courier.

7. How can payment be made?

We require a purchase order number for all orders where costs are recovered. We can also process credit card payments. For international shipments, we prefer credit card or wire transfer payment. Questions on payment methods can be asked here.

8. Are there restrictions of use of any reagents?

None of the reagents provided have been approved for in vitro diagnostics of human or for use in humans. Other restrictions on reagent use are described in the registration agreement shown here. Those reagents that require MTAs may have additional restrictions.

9. What acknowledgements are required?

We request that any manuscripts resulting from the use of these Reagent Resource materials please acknowledge these contributions. An acknowledgement such as that shown below can be used: "Reagents used in these studies were provided by the NIH Nonhuman Primate Reagent Resource (R24 RR016001, N01 AI040101)."

10. How are reagents for in vivo administration prepared?

All antibody and fusion protein reagents are produced by cell culture or in bioreactors using serum-free medium. Antibodies and Ig-fusion proteins are purified by affinity chromatography. Prior to release, reagents for in vivo administration are tested for bioburden, endotoxin, purity, specificity, and pH. Each shipment includes a certificate of analysis describing the results of these release criteria. Please contact us if you have questions about the manufacture of any particular reagents.

11. What can I tell my IACUC about safety information on reagents I propose to administer to animals?

Most IACUCs are concerned that the materials being administered to animals have been properly prepared and do not have significant toxicities. You may explain that all materials have been produced and purified under aseptic conditions. Sterility, purity and endotoxin levels are all measured before release. All have been tested in animals and shown to result in no untoward effects.

12. My grant application describes use of your reagents. Can you provide a letter of support?

If reference to our website is insufficient to confirm the availability of a specific reagent, please contact us to obtain a letter of support.

13. Can reagents be provided to foreign investigators?

We can ship most reagents internationally. However, export of biological specimens obtained from nonhuman primates is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Therefore, with few exceptions, biological specimens such as cell lines cannot be shipped internationally.

14. How can I suggest a new reagent for development?

Commercial Antibody Database

1. How is the reactivity of antibodies with different species verified?

All data contained in the Commercial Antibody Database were contributed by investigators or by product manufacturers/distributors. We do not confirm these results. If conflicting results are provided for a particular antibody clone, we may test these in our laboratory.

2. Can I contribute to the database?

Contributions of data may be made here or by attaching spreadsheets to an email sent to us. We do not acknowledge the contributors of data.

3. My results differ from those in the database. What should I do?

If you believe results in the database are in error, please contact us and we will try to resolve the discrepancy.