Virology and Immunology Technology Core
The Virology and Immunology Technology (VIT) Core provides services, consultation, and navigation to specialized molecular, cellular, and imaging resources that advance multi-disciplinary, high priority HIV research of Third Coast CFAR members. The Core’s highly sophisticated instrumentation, experienced technical support, and expert expert consultation / navigation are equally available to molecular virologists and immunologists, clinical/translational researchers, and behavioral scientists.
Services and Resources
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Virology Methods and Custom Assays
The VIT Core provides a range of cost-efficient, fee-for-service assays:
- Molecular virology: HIV p24 and SIV p27, intracellular gag quantification, and viral cDNA quantification.
- HIV/SIV reservoir: Tat-Rev induced limiting dilution assay (TILDA); and quantitative virus outgrowth assay (QVOA). In early 2025, additional tools will be available: validated assays for proviral DNA quantification (total, integrated), cell-associated RBA quantification (total, unspliced, polyadenylated, or multispliced), and intact proviral DNA assay (IPDA).
- Services to design and run custom assays to measure HIV-relevant biomarkers (such as cytokines, chemokines, C-reactive protein in plasma) for studies in basic, translational, and behavioral science.
- Functional genomics: Additional methods include CRISPR-Cas9 gene knock-out and CRSPR-Cas9 knock-in of cell lines, and primary human T cells or primary macrophages (single perturbation, arrayed screening, pooled screening).
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Genomic Services
Members may access up-to-date next generation sequencing platforms and analyses to facilitate laboratory and translational HIV research.
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Laboratory Infrastructure and Viral Stock
Access to a variety of virology infrastructure and laboratory needs are available from the VIT Core, including the biosafety level 2+ (BLS2+) facility for safely performing HIV/SIV infections ex vivo, and associated training. A well characterized viral stock bank is also available. Mucosal cells and tissue, banked plasma, and other specimens are also available in collaboration with the Clinical Sciences Core.
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Expert Consultation in HIV/SIV-Specific Model Systems
The VIT Core offers a consultation service designed to provide insight and expertise in the design of biological experiments and choice of assays, including recommendations on a choice of reagents including cell lines, virus isolates, assays for quantification, and conditions of the experiment.
The Data Insight Group (DIG) offers expert consultation on experimental design, execution, and data analysis for clinical, preclinical or basic research studies that involve large data sets, genomics, transcriptomics, multi-omics, and/or systems biology and non-human primate (NHP) studies.
Judd Hultquist, PhD, is an assistant professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) and associate director for the Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution at Northwestern University. His lab specializes in the development and application of systems biology approaches to interrogate host-pathogen relationships in primary models of disease. He can provide consultation on the practical application of high-throughput and systems-level approaches to molecular virology. Specific areas of expertise include proteomics, pathogen genomics, functional genomics, gene editing, and host-pathogen interactions.
Ramon Lorenzo-Redondo, PhD, is an assistant professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Lorenzo-Redondo is available for consultation on projects related to HIV/SIV and other viruses that focus on viral genomics, molecular evolution and virus-host interactions. Moreover, he has expertise in Spatial Transcriptomics, Deep Molecular Sequencing, Complex Data Analysis, Genomics, Statistical Modeling, and Phylogenetic and Phylodynamic Analyses.
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Imaging and Microscopy
The VIT Core imaging facility is a mecca for local Third Coast CFAR members, as well as (with approval) collaborating national and international researchers seeking training. Four DeltaVision deconvolution microscope systems are available, including an OMX structured illumination-based (SIM) super resolution system and DeltaVision Elite capabilities. Additional sophisticated instruments include IVIS Lumina III for both full spectrum fluorescence and bioluminescence, Nikon A1R fully automated confocal imaging system, and Leica Thunder Imaging System that allows deep imaging in large volume samples. A general use fluorescence microscope with three cameras and microinjection capabilities is also a Core service.
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Viral Pathogenesis Journal Club
The VIT Core invites researchers and research trainees to join in lively, interactive critical assessment and discussion of recent peer-reviewed papers that focus on topics including, but not limited to, HIV-related virology, immunology, pathogenesis, treatment, and vaccine design. Please email Angel Aviña to join the mailing list and indicate interest in rotating as a presenter. The Viral Pathogenesis Journal Club meets on two Mondays per month from noon to 1:00 p.m.
Request Services
Request VIT Core services on the Find a Service page. Contact Angel Aviña with questions about the VIT Core.
Leadership
Thomas J. Hope, PhD, Northwestern University
Virology and Immunology Technology Core Director
Mohamed Abdel-Mohsen, PhD, Northwestern University
Virology and Immunology Technology Core Co-Director