Mission
By providing an infrastructure of biosafety level 2-3 containment (biosafety level 2 and 3 containment facilities and laboratory practices) for the isolation and culture of HIV and SIV, the AVC augments the research capabilities of basic and clinical HIV/AIDS researchers. The specific aims of the AVC are: 1) to provide specially-designed, centrally-located BSL 2-3 laboratory space to all UAB investigators so that infectious HIV research can be physically restricted to specified areas; 2) to provide and maintain the high-cost equipment needed for HIV research within the Core facility in order to facilitate and broaden the research capabilities of all investigators and to avoid redundancy in equipment purchases; 3) to provide training, supervision, and monitoring of researchers regarding laboratory practices within the AVC; and 4) to foster the development of HIV/AIDS research by new investigators and to encourage multidisciplinary research by new and established investigators by providing AVC staff with broad experience in basic and clinical HIV research which is dedicated to these goals. To effectively accomplish these goals, the AVC is structured to principally provide an infrastructure (laboratory and key staff) for investigators to conduct HIV/AIDS-related research.

Facility Description
The AVC consists of a centrally located BSL 2-3 laboratory and associated professional staff. The space comprises 1,500 square feet and includes six self-contained 100 square foot tissue culture suites. The Laboratory is completely equipped for molecular, biological, and clinical HIV research. It is operated under the specific usage and priority guidelines established and periodically reviewed by the Core's advisory committee. A formal biological safety program and QA/QC procedures have been established to protect both the public and University employees conducting HIV/AIDS research activities in the AVC.

Research Information
Services. The AVC provides an infrastructure of biosafety level 2-3 containment that is available to UAB investigators for conducting research involving the isolation and culture of HIV/SIV. Because laboratory safety is of paramount importance, the Core is staffed with trained personnel who instruct and oversee the daily operations and use of the Core. New investigators planning to utilize any of the Core's facilities are required to undergo specific laboratory safety training, and receive certification prior to using the Core.

Charges. Costs to operate the Core are provided through the CFAR grant, and in part, by charge-backs from Core users. The amount of the charge-back depends on the extent to which the Core is utilized.

Contact Information
Core Director: John C. Kappes, PhD
Email: kappesjc@uab.edu
Phone: 205-934-0051

Web site: http://www.uabcfar.uab.edu/cores/centralvirus

Approved by: John C. Kappes, PhD, Director
Date: February 13, 2007

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