Malaria Research and Reference Reagent Resource Center

Malaria is a global health problem requiring a concerted international effort to find an effective solution. Traditional control measures are losing their effectiveness and resources remain relatively limited. In response, malaria researchers from Africa, Europe and North America convened in 1997, together with representatives of the major funding agencies, at the ‘International Conference on Malaria in Africa= in Dakar, Senegal. The objectives of this meeting were to identify the pivotal malaria research questions, determine effective response strategies to address those questions, and recommend collaborative mechanisms to further the research. An important consensus was that new ways were needed to strengthen and sustain the capability of malaria-endemic countries to carry out research and improve tools for malaria control. A specific need was identified for improved worldwide access to parasite, vector, and human-host reagents, and standardization of assays using well-characterized reference reagents. The Malaria Research and Reference Reagent Resource Center (MR4) is a program developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to meet this specific need.The basic aim of MR4 is to support the international malaria research community through improved access to well-characterized, quality-controlled malaria research reagents. Another aim is to promote technology transfer to malaria-endemic countries, and to foster exchange between new and established malaria researchers worldwide. Since September 1998, the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) has been responsible for management of MR4, with anopheline reagents provided through the Centers for Disease Control Foundation. An international Scientific Advisory Committee oversees MR4 operations and liaises with the malaria research community.The successful development of MR4 as a resource program requires active participation from the malaria research community. In material terms, this development is primarily dependent on the generous contributions of reagents by scientists engaged in malaria research and control. MR4 currently has >100 donated reagents ready to distribute, including antibodies, antigens, DNA plasmids, EST clones and genomic/cDNA libraries. The only cost of reagents for the recipient will be those for shipping. An online database can be searched at the MR4 website for detailed information about each reagent, or can be provided in a hard copy catalog upon request. Additional reagents, soon to be added, include parasites and mosquito genetic stocks. In the future, MR4 will include renewable reference standards and introduce reagents from new technologies.To promote technology transfer and to foster scientific exchange, MR4 will develop workshops, training programs, comprehensive online databases and printed materials. Information about new and existing technologies will be rapidly disseminated to the malaria research community through workshops, an electronic bulletin board, printed bulletins and training activities, which will hopefully promote a sense of openness and collaboration among the community.Registration with the MR4 is an important aspect of the participation of a malaria research laboratory in the program. Only the Principal Investigator, or head of a laboratory, needs to register in order for a group to participate in the programs. Registration requires the recipient to exercise care in the handling of the materials, to maintain control over the distribution of the materials, to acknowledge the provider in publications, and to follow relevant guidelines governing research safety. The MR4 Registration Form is similar to a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) and requires institutional authorization. Registration also allows users to access an electronic bulletin board to communicate their needs, comments, and, most importantly, to obtain reagents from the MR4. Unlike a standard MTA, the MR4 Registration Form serves as a multi-reagent, multi-year, multi-partner document that will minimize paperwork between institutions and still protect the interests of all participants. MR4 and NIAID staff can answer questions and otherwise assist with the registration process.MR4 staff can be contacted via the website or through postal delivery at MR4, ATCC, 10801 University Blvd, Manassas, VA 20110, USA. Tel: +1 703 365 2700; Fax: +1 703 365 2701; e-mail: malaria@atcc.org, http://www.malaria.mr4.org.NIAID staff can be contacted via the website or by postal delivery to MR4 Program, Parasitology and International Programs Branch, NIAID, 6700B Rockledge Drive, Room 3103, Bethesda, MD 20892-7630. Tel: +1 301 402 8302; Fax: +1 301 402 0659; e-mail: malaria@niaid.nih.gov, http://www.niaid.nih.gov/reposit/malrep.htm.