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CFAR Developmental Core
CORE RESOURCES
The UCSD CFAR has developed specialized research Cores and an International Program (listed below) to provide a range of efficient and cost-effective specialized HIV research techniques. Applicants are encouraged to use these Cores when appropriate, and to contact the appropriate Core Director regarding questions related to CFAR Core utilization.
Molecular Biology Core (David Looney, Director)
The Molecular Biology Core offers
- A centralized resource to facilitate the acquisition of primers for use in polymerase chain reaction amplification, sequencing, and mutagenesis,
- A library of useful primers, already made and characterized for these purposes,
- Centralized access to a library of useful plasmid constructs, for use in cloning, eukaryotic selection, expression, reporting, and use as reference and control agents, including many proviral plasmids,
- A central reference resource for quantitation of viral RNA and DNA, including a central reference QC-PCR facility, supplying primers, constructs, and reference reagents and samples, as well as performing assays as a service,
- A central sequencing facility, to consolidate primary sequencing of portions of the HIV genome, and facilitate data acquisition and sharing of sequence information
Flow Cytometry Core (Celsa Spina, Director)
The Flow Cytometry Core offers:
- Expertise and technical support for the design and execution of experimental approaches utilizing flow cytometry analysis and physical separation techniques,
- The core facility will provide technical resources for immune cell phenotyping, physical separation and isolation of cell phenotypes, analysis of cell activation functions, and analysis of molecular, expression vector constructs.
Genomics Core (Christopher Woelk, Director)
Specific functions of this core include
- Sample preparation (DNA and RNA isolation),
- Microarray analysis (Affymetrix GeneChips),
- Gene expression quantification (qRT-PCR with TaqMan, Amplifluor or SYBR green),
- SNP genotyping (qRT-PCR with prevalidated TaqMan genotyping assays),
- Bioinformatics analysis (microarray, promoter, evolution, and vaccine design).
Viral Pathogenesis Core (Davey Smith, Director)
The Viral Pathogenesis Core provides
- Acquisition, processing, and cryostorage of clinical specimens for clinical trial participants of UCSD CFAR affiliated studies,
- A variety of basic science and clinical assays essential for clinical, translational, and basic science research,
- Training in Pre-PCR and BL3 operations.
Clinical Investigation Core
(Chris Mathews and Richard Haubrich, Directors)
The Clinical Investigation Core offers
- Access to patient recruitment services including outreach to women, minorities, and injection drug users,
- Consultation on study design and analysis,
- Acquisition of clinical specimens,
- Data entry and collection.
Protein Expression and Proteomics Core
(Bruce Torbett and John Elder, Co-Directors)
The Protein Expression and Proteomics Core services include
- Providing the appropriate vectors and cell lines needed to facilitate expression cloning of investigator-targeted proteins, using bacterial, insect cell, or mammalian cell vector systems, as deemed appropriate for the particular application,
- Aiding investigators in vector selection and amplification and cloning of targeted genes. In addition, the Core will help investigators in optimizing protein expression and selection of purification schemes most appropriate for each application,
- Providing all facets of protein resolution from visualization to identification.
International Program
(Robert Schooley and Steffanie Strathdee, Co-Directors)
Specific functions of the International Program include
- Providing specialized administrative services that will enhance currently existing collaborations between the CFAR research community and investigators working in resource limited settings. Examples include assistance with establishing federal wide assurances, translation of documents, development of protocols, informed consent forms and surveys, and mentoring of junior investigators who are interested in developing a research portfolio in developing countries with high HIV/AIDS burdens,
- Providing funds for the conduct of HIV/AIDS pilot research projects in resource limited settings that will facilitate the development of preliminary data in support of more extensive externally supported research projects and programs,
- Providing travel funds for the exchange of scholars and for travel in support of the development of joint research projects on HIV/AIDS in resource limited settings.
Investigators are invited to contact the various
CFAR Core Directors regarding the use of these resources.
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