Navigating the AR Isolate Bank website

Creating an account

To create an account, visit the Register page and complete the required information. Please use your institution’s email address and landline or office phone. We will not accept accounts with personal email addresses or cellphone numbers. Spell out all acronyms. Do not list P.O. Boxes for your institution’s name and address. Failure to follow these instructions will result in the rejection of the account. Once you register, your account will show an “awaiting approval” status. Approval or rejection of new accounts will occur within 2 business days.

Note: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not directly nor indirectly endorse any institution by approving an account or an order.

To place an order

1. Visit the Isolate Search page. Add panel(s) to the cart by clicking on the “Add Panel to Cart” button on the upper right side of the page. Once your selections are added, you will be prompted to either continue browsing or check out. Please select the option that applies.

2. To check out, first review the cart contents and answer the corresponding questions about the use of the requested panels. If you have ordered previously, your responses will automatically populate with those from your most recent order.

3. Provide institution and physical shipping information.

• Only nine-digit FedEx account numbers are accepted.
• If you cannot provide a FedEx account number, please write this in the order comments. You will be sent instructions to create a pre-paid UPS or FedEx label.
• Modifications to the address information are saved to your profile.

4. When you have completed the request, click the submit button. A confirmation page will display the following:

• An order summary along with the order.
• Links to required forms for order approval.

Make sure to completely review this information.

5. Print, sign and upload the required forms on the website while logged in. Alternatively, forms can be emailed to ARbank@cdc.gov. If you choose to email your forms, please use the order number in the subject line of the email.
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Important order information

• The AR Isolate Bank does not routinely fulfill duplicate orders (i.e., more than one panel and/or isolate of the same) by institution. AR Isolate Bank frozen stocks are stable for more than ten years if kept at ultra-low temperatures. We recommend retaining isolates for further studies whenever possible. If you require a duplicate order of isolates, please include an explanation in the comments section.

Order processing

CDC provides an email notification at four different steps: when the order is submitted, when its required documents are verified, and when the order is shipped and delivered. You can check the status of your order at any time by logging into your account. The image below shows an example of the different statuses the order will undergo:

• Awaiting Required Documents: Order submitted, but CDC has not received the required forms to process the order.
• Documents Verified: CDC has verified the required documents are complete and signed.
• Order Verified: Information on the forms match the order request.
• Approved for Shipping: Order sent to laboratory to be fulfilled.
• Shipped: Order shipped, tracking number is added to order information under your account.
• Delivered: Courier marked this order as delivered.

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Processing and turnaround times

Orders will be shipped* within 10 business days of approval. To avoid delays, follow instructions outlined on the “Required Forms” menu and before placing an order check the Questions & Answers page for additional information.

*Shipping is contingent on available stock or may be delayed if there is a high demand.

General guidelines for the use of the AR Isolate Bank isolates:

• These panels are the property of CDC and are available in collaboration with the FDA. Commercialization of isolates is not authorized.
• Performing manipulations of AR Isolate Bank isolates must occur in a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory that meets the criteria outlined in the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 6th Edition.
• Do not redistribute materials.
• Panels are free, but requesters must pay shipping fees.
• AR Isolate Bank does not routinely fulfill duplicate orders.

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Searching for available panels

There are several ways to search for AR Isolate Bank panels and isolates.

1. On the home page using one of two drop down menus.

2. The All Isolate Panels page.
3. The Isolate Search page. The isolate search will identify records that match all specified criteria. If the search finds no results, expand the search by reducing the number of criteria included.

The AR Isolate Bank largely offers assembled isolates panels. The AR Isolate Bank has a unique panel called Isolates with New or Novel Antibiotic Resistance. This is the only panel that is modifiable by the customer while ordering. Use this panel to select individual isolates.

What is the difference between a panel and custom panel?

• A panel refers to a set composed of unique isolates.
• A custom panel is a set of AR Isolate Bank isolates that belong to other panels. These sets are assembled with desired attributes for a specific use. For example, the Fluoroquinolone Pseudomonas aeruginosa Verification Panel is a custom panel to perform verification and validation studies for P. aeruginosa and any of the fluoroquinolones approved to treat infections caused by these bacteria.

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