Funding

Osteoarthritis Initiative Biospecimen Access Policy Statement

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January 13, 2009

The goal of the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) is to provide an open research resource to aid in the identification and evaluation of biomarkers as candidates for surrogate endpoints for osteoarthritis. Biospecimens have been collected from OAI study participants at the baseline and 12-month, 18-month (a limited number of subjects), 24-month, 30-month, 36-month, and 48-month follow-up visits. At present, biospecimens for the entire cohort from the baseline and 12-month, and 24-month follow-up visits are available for use. These biospecimens include serum, plasma, urine, and DNA (see OAI web site for details). Policies and procedures have been developed for access to these specimens and are posted on the NIAMS website (http://www.niams.nih.gov/Funding/Funded_Research/Osteoarthritis_Initiative/default.asp and OAI Online (http://www.oai.ucsf.edu/datarelease/default.asp). Interested investigators are encouraged to apply for use of these limited resources.

NIAMS has assembled a group of individuals who will serve as reviewers of proposals that are submitted to NIAMS for use of the OAI biospecimens. This group will be known as the Biospecimen Review and Allocation Committee. The Committee will be asked to review submitted proposals and make recommendations to NIAMS with regard to biospecimen allocation. Review criteria include significance, approach, innovation, investigator qualifications, plans for data sharing, and research environment as well as the potential for the proposed research to contribute to understanding of osteoarthritis or treatment of disease.

Any scientist may apply for the OAI biospecimens. Proof of funding for proposed analyses must be provided prior to access to the biospecimens. Any data generated from the use of these biospecimens must be made accessible to the public through the OAI Online web site. To fully understand the details of the study, including the number and phenotype of the participants as well as the procedures for sample collection, interested scientists should refer to the OAI protocol and operations manuals posted on the OAI Online website (http://www.oai.ucsf.edu/datarelease/default.asp.)

Application forms and detailed instructions can be downloaded from the NIAMS or OAI Online websites. Completed applications should be submitted as pdf files by email to OAIBiospecimens@kai-research.com by the appropriate deadlines. Applications will be reviewed 3 times per year. The initial receipt date has been extended to February 15, 2009.