CFAR Virology Core Facility

Objectives

1. To maintain a BL3-level of containment facility that will support a safe and biohazard-free environment for work with pathogenic primate immunodeficiency viruses.
2. To provide resources and services to participating CFAR investigators for their ongoing projects related to viral infectivity, cell-tropism, viral cytopathicity and pathogenesis.
3. To function as a central site where collaborative interactions amongst investigators is fostered/facilitated.
4. To operate the facility under the strict NIH guidelines for handling pathogenic agents.
5. To continuously monitor the safety operations in order to ensure that the access to the facility is limited to investigators who have been trained in safe-handling of pathogenic agents, and that they will continue safe-handling of the pathogenic agents without compromising the safety of the workers.