An essential component to foster research that will enhance studies of HIV pathogenesis is the ability tolink laboratory-based science with well-characterized specimens from infected patients. The Virology Coreserves to provide this connection and supports the research of clinical and basic scientists associated withthe UCSD CFAR. The Core functions as an important resource at UCSD for programs spanning a widerange of HIV-related activities. Major UCSD research groups, including those involving adults, pregnantwomen, infants, children and adolescents, and persons with advanced AIDS and neurocognitiveimpairment, have samples processed and assayed by the Core. In addition to providing an expanding arrayof virologic assays, the Virology Core serves as a repository for well-characterized clinical specimens thatare made available to CFAR investigators. Over the past 4 years, the Virology Core has provided servicesto >100 investigators, contributed to >50 publications, helped 13 investigators obtain new or competingresearch awards and trained >40 individuals in safe laboratory procedures for working with HIV and PCRmethodologies. The objectives of the Virology Core are as follows: (1) provide virology laboratory supportto CFAR investigators at cost-effective rates; (2) serve as a repository for clinical specimens, includingPBMCs, plasma, serum, CSF, semen, tissue specimens, and viral isolates; (3) integrate specimensobtained from the major research clinical programs at UCSD including the Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Unit(AACTU), the Pediatric ACTU (to become an IMPAACT Network CTU), the California CollaborativeTreatment Group (CCTG), the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center (HNRC) and its related programs,the HIV Ocular Research Unit, and pharmaceutical company sponsored studies; (4) stimulate scientificcollaboration and translational research among the CFAR's clinical and basic researchers; (5) implementnew virologic assays as they become available to help foster new research opportunities for CFARmembers; and (6) provide training and educational opportunities for CFAR investigators, students, andfellows working on HIV.
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