Core H - Basic Science Core

Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT CORE H: BASIC SCIENCE The mission of the Providence-Boston CFAR Basic Sciences Core (BSC) is to build and support collaborative research between clinical, behavioral, translational, and basic science investigators with a focus on NIH HIV/AIDS high priority areas including Ending the HIV Epidemic, HIV immunology, HIV cure, and addressing HIV-associated co-morbidities. The restructuring of the BSC in the last cycle has been very successful, taking advantage of the partnership between Brown University Health/Brown University and Boston University/Boston Medical Center and these institutions’ strengths in basic and translational sciences. This partnership has significantly enhanced the basic science expertise of the CFAR, as well as its user pool and basic science institutional support. In the next five years, the BSC will provide standard and innovative services to HIV/AIDS researchers based on evolving needs as determined through regular surveys, and significantly expand the Core user pool through outreach and education. The BSC will enhance its technical capacity by sharing expertise and centralizing labor-intensive tasks. Importantly, the BSC will take an active role in identifying, consulting, mentoring and training investigators, particularly new and early stage investigators across the CFAR, as well as established investigators who are new to, or wish to expand into, HIV research, or lack the technical expertise or lab resources for their studies. The BSC will promote collaborative basic and translational research through three Specific Aims: (1) Support HIV research by providing essential lab assays and expertise; (2) Develop and support innovative services and new collaborations; and (3) Provide training and mentorship to local, national investigators with a wide range of HIV experience. Overall, the Core will provide CFAR users conventional as well as innovative services and a scientific infrastructure dedicated to multidisciplinary basic science and translational HIV/AIDS research, and the guidance to strengthen capacity for lab-associated HIV/AIDS research training and education.