The REP provides the infrastructure for interested investigators to collect data for studies of a wide range of medical conditions. However, as many of the resources available for REP studies (such as patient medical records) are part of ongoing clinical care at southeastern MN health care institutions, data collection for a new study typically requires spending time in southeastern MN to access these resources. To facilitate these types of studies, REP Collaborator appointments are available through the Mayo Clinic. Such appointments provide investigator space on the Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN campus and access to REP computer resources, but do not provide funding for the project itself. Further information on how to receive a REP Collaborator appointment may be obtained by contacting REP staff at info@rochesterproject.org

The REP has also supported the development of multiple population-based and disease-specific cohorts. Current federally funded projects which used the REP resources for development are listed on our Federally Funded Research Projects page. Investigators interested in a listed topic area are strongly encouraged to search for previous publications and to contact the investigators who developed the studies in order to explore collaborative research opportunities.

Who can conduct a REP study?

Prospective researchers must have a current affiliation with an established research institution (such as a university, private research institute, or industry). Typical REP researchers include established clinician and PhD investigators as well as residents, fellows, masters and doctoral students, and visiting scientists in a range of disciplines. Researchers from outside of the Mayo Clinic may obtain a “REP Collaborator” appointment to conduct a REP study. Further information on how to receive such an appointment may be obtained by contacting REP staff at info@rochesterproject.org

What approvals are needed to conduct a REP project?

Interested researchers must obtain a “REP Collaborator” appointment through the Mayo Clinic. Such appointments provide investigator space on the Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN campus and access to REP computer tools.

All REP studies must also be approved by the Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center (OMC) Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) prior to study commencement. These approvals are necessary to ensure that proposals comply with state and national human subjects protection rules. Research protocols are usually 3 to 5 pages long and include the following sections: specific aims, background, methods, human subjects, and a time-line. Sample REP IRB proposals are shown at these links:

• Sample Incidence/prevalence study
• Sample Case-control study
• Sample Cohort study

Protocols are submitted to the OMC IRB via e-mail and to the Mayo Clinic IRB via web-based forms. Assistance with obtaining REP collaborator appointments and developing REP research protocols may be obtained by contacting REP staff at: info@rochesterproject.org

How do we protect individuals who participate in REP research studies?

The Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) review all REP research proposals to ensure that the rights and safety of study participants are protected. All REP studies require approval from both IRBs. Additionally, all REP studies must comply with Minnesota Research Authorization (Minnesota State privacy law – Statute 144.335, 1997). This state statute requires that individuals provide permission for their medical records to be used for research studies. Finally, all REP studies must comply with federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements. These safeguards help ensure that the health and privacy of all REP study participants are carefully protected.