HIV Persistence and Cure SWG

Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section The HIV Persistence and Cure (HPC) Scientific Working Group (SWG) serves as the focal point for investigators and community members to advance HIV cure research in DC. Led by a core group of NIH-funded researchers, and in partnership with community members, the SWG promotes HIV cure research, actively collaborates with investigators in other CFARs, and engages a wider circle of early stage and new investigators as well as intramural NIH scientists to stimulate the development of new grant proposals and publications in this high priority area. Started in 2019, the SWG now includes 24 members from six collaborating DC CFAR institutions and the NIH intramural program. The SWG galvanizes HIV cure research in DC by hosting seminars featuring internal and external speakers and regular coffee hours to promote collaboration and provide expertise on HIV cure pilot awards. The HPC SWG reaches its goals through regular quarterly meetings, strategic outreach to investigators in the DC area, promotion of new HIV cure-related DC CFAR pilot awards and NIH grant applications and encouragement and review of HIV cure-related manuscripts. The Specific Aims of the HPC SWG are to: 1) promote scientific discovery in HIV persistence and cure research in Washington, DC, 2) stimulate and support the development of innovative, trans-disciplinary and multiinstitutional HIV cure-related grant applications and manuscripts, and 3) support early stage, new and established investigators in HIV cure research.