Advanced Immuno-Technology Core

Duke University, Durham NC

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section PROJECT SUMMARY – Advanced Immuno-Technology Core The Duke CFAR Advanced Immuno-Technology (AIT) Core brings together an exceptional team of investigators who will provide innovative, state-of-the-art, and standardized immunologic assays to comprehensively investigate relevant effects of chronic HIV infection (i.e. aging and frailty), co-infections, countermeasures and immune prophylaxis approaches to prevention, and reservoir eradication. The investigation and training provided by the AIT Core will meet the regional, national, and international research needs of Duke HIV/AIDS scientists, clinicians, collaborators, and trainees. The AIT Core will specifically fill gaps that have been identified as critical according to the NIH Research Program Strategic Goals for FY 2021-2025. Specifically, it will provide the needed expertise to (NIH Goal 1) advance rigorous and innovative research; (NIH Goal 2) retain flexibility in the research portfolio to address emerging needs; (NIH Goal 4) build human resources. Thus, our overall goal is to implement new technologies and complement this technical effort with a parallel investment in mentoring and training our early-stage investigators and staff members. The AIT Core will accomplish this through three Specific Aims: 1) Provide Duke CFAR investigators with access to a comprehensive suite of innovative, state-of-the-art immunologic assays to interrogate the immunologic space in response to vaccination (1.1), passive protection (1.2), cure strategies (1.3), and resolve frailty in people living with HIV (1.4); 2) Provide quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) for Immunology Core assays and QA/QC consultation services to all Duke CFAR investigators; 3) Provide specific immunology method training to Duke CFAR investigators and Early-Stage Investigators (ESI) and lead efforts to establish collaborative projects across the CFAR network. Most of the assays provided by the AIT Core are qualified under Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) compliance and are routinely monitored by the AIT Core Quality Assurance Unit. However, the AIT Core also will strive to evolve and anticipate the needs of the field. Therefore, in this renewal, we showcase our highly standardized assays and describe our plan to implement new technologies aimed at: 1) investigating the molecular structure of Antibody/HIV Envelope interactions; 2) imaging the immune/infected cell interactions and localization; 3) partnering with the Quantitative Science (QS) Core to implement AI elements (machine and deep learning) into analysis of AIT data. The AIT Core will collaborate extensively with other Cores and Scientific Working Groups (SWG) in the Duke CFAR. We already have multiple joint efforts with the Clinical, Development, and Quantitative Science Cores, as well as with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill CFAR Clinical Core to foster scientific research and training opportunities. By implementing new technology, training, and mentoring in collaboration with other Cores and CFARs, we expect to enhance and expand the scientific projects proposed by Duke HIV/AIDS investigators to achieve and support NIH national and international priority area goals.