Cores
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(615) 343-8776
tn-cfar@vumc.org
About the Advanced Technologies Core
The Advanced Technologies Core (ATC) helps Tennessee CFAR investigators use advanced laboratory technologies to answer important HIV research questions. The ATC provides scientific expertise, specialized laboratory services, and access to cutting-edge tools that support basic, clinical, and translational HIV research.
The ATC connects investigators with research resources available at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Meharry Medical College, including genomics, single-cell analysis, flow cytometry, and gene editing technologies. The Core works closely with researchers to identify the best approaches for their projects and provides support throughout the research process, from study design and sample preparation for data analysis.
A key strength of the ATC is its “concierge” model, which tailors’ services to the specific needs of HIV investigators. By providing hands-on guidance and access to specialized technologies, the ATC helps researchers overcome technical barriers, apply innovative methods, and accelerate scientific discovery. Through these efforts, the ATC expands research capabilities across Tennessee CFAR and advances HIV science through three specific aims.
Specific Aims of the Atc
To provide expertise, consultation, assay performance, and training in immunology techniques including those that require BSL3 procedures.
Immunology services include: a) direction and consultation on study design and implementation of state-of-the-art assays to measure phenotype and function of cell subsets relevant to HIV, and; b) quantitation of HIV protein and nucleic acid in plasma and in vitro culture.
To provide concierge-level service for genomics research relevant to HIV.
Services include: a) after staining and cell isolation in Aim 1, cells are sent to the VANTAGE core so that they may effectively utilize VUMC’s single-cell transcriptomics technologies; b) working with HIV investigators to adapt viral and human genomics assays and methodologies to meet their needs, and support studies of viral genome evolutionary sequence analysis and interactions between host and viral genomic variants; c) work with CFAR investigators with direction and consultation for study design, implementation, and analysis so that they may effectively utilize VUMC’s core to understand the role of host microbiome in HIV disease pathogenesis.
Services Offered
- Design and performance of HIV-focused flow cytometry assays including:
- Expression of cell activation markers
- Identification of memory T cell subsets and T regulatory cells
- Intracellular cytokine expression
- Single cell sorting in a BSL2+ facility
- Single-cell transcriptomics
- T-cell receptor sequencing
- Mass cytometry (CyTOF)
- Sensitive PCR assays for HIV (Droplet digital PCR)
- HIV p24 ELISA
- Training of Core users
- Specimen processing and tracking
- Plasma, PBMCs and other human specimen such as skin and adipose tissue
- DNA and/or RNA extraction from tissue
For service request or inquiries, please contact tn-cfar@vumc.org
ATC Leadership
Spyros Kalams, MD
Core Director | View Profile Here
Bindong Liu, PhD
Co-Director | View Profile Here
Simon Mallal, MBBS, FRACP, FRCPA
Co-Director | View Profile Here
Celestine Wanjalla, MD, PhD
Assistant Director