Basic and Translational Science Core

Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section (Basic and Translational Science Core) The Basic and Translational Science Core is the major scientific core supporting the breadth of basic and translational research across the UCSF-Bay Area Center for AIDS Research (CFAR). This new encompassing Core is a product of our strategic planning process, which involved soliciting input from key stakeholders in the CFAR community. The Core consists of two continued and enhanced Sub-Cores including Immunology and Functional Genomics (formerly the Immunology Core) and Pharmacology of Cure and Pathogenesis (formerly the Pharmacology Core) as well as a new Bioinformatics Sub-Core. The Immunology and Functional Genomics Core broadens the focus of the prior flow cytometry-based Immunology core by adding both high- dimensional spectral flow cytometry and scRNAseq support. The Pharmacology of Cure and Pathogenesis core focuses pharmacology support on the needs of CFAR investigators for pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) studies for studies of potential cure interventions. The Sub-Core also provides tissue drug levels, and measurement of drugs and metabolites relevant to pathogenesis and co-morbidities. This enhanced focus complements the Biomarkers of Behavior Program in the Bio-behavioral Core, which measures antiretroviral drug levels in biomatrices for adherence research. Given the consistent need expressed by basic and translational investigators during our strategic planning process for bioinformatics support, we added a new Bioinformatics Sub-Core in the Basic and Translational Core to support investigators in computational high-dimensional data processing, analysis, visualization, and management of multi-omics data. Each one of our Sub-Cores is integrated not just administratively, but also functionally connected through well-attended bi- weekly “SCOPTIONS” (an interest group focused on HIV cure and inflammation) and monthly “Multi-Omics” (an interest group relevant to bioinformatics) work-in-progress sessions, which support early-stage investigators (ESI’s) in the basic and translational sciences across all our campuses and affiliates. These two interest groups also reinforce and grow community; spur multidisciplinary collaborations; and connect ESIs to core services, senior investigators, mentorship, specimens and data for pilot awards, and CFAR leadership. Finally, this Core is well integrated with the Developmental Core, through support of pilot awards and the CFAR Mentoring Program for our basic/translational ESIs; with the Clinical Core through the SCOPE cohort; and with the Bio-Behavioral Core through the Biomarkers of Behavior Program and the PrEP cohort. The Basic and Translational Core will also work closely with the other Cores to ensure efficient use of CFAR resources to address overall Center aims.