# Core A: Automated Cell/Biochemical Assays Core

> **NIH NIH P01** · CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2021 · $411,250

## Abstract

The ability to elicit potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV-1 through
vaccination is one of the prime challenges of biomedical research in our time. The proposed
HIVRAD project aims to address this challenge. Our approach is based on the concept that
immunogens that bind to inferred germline Abs (iGLs) that are precursors to known mature
bNAbs can initiate an Ab response that can be guided to produce bNAbs using a series of
sequential immunogens. Therefore the focus of this grant is to evaluate immunization regimens
in animal models (Project 1) using immunogens selected by structure-based design and library
screening (Project 2). Key requirements for the success of this project include the ability to
evaluate thousands of serum samples from immunized animals to determine whether they are
producing specific and productive responses, producing and screening thousands of potential
immunogens and Abs, and assessing binding and neutralization potency and breadth. Here we
describe a scientific core dedicated to using liquid handling robots for automated expression of
small quantities of many different proteins and high-throughput automated assays. The
Cell/Biochemical Assay Automation Core will design and carry out automated cell-based and
biochemical assays to express proteins in high-throughput, characterize the binding affinity and
specificity, and evaluate the potency of HIV-neutralizing antibodies. Core A personnel will
validate, refine, and trouble-shoot protocols for the automated protein expression, binding, and
in vitro neutralization assays and perform assays for evaluating antibodies and Env proteins for
Drs. Nussenzweig and Bjorkman. The core will train and assist students, postdoctoral fellows,
research assistants, and investigators in the analysis and interpretation of data from automated
assays. The Automated Cell/Biochemical Assays Core will maintain two custom-equipped Evo
Freedom Liquid handling stations and a surface plasmon resonance instrument with high-
throughput capabilities for the automated assays proposed in this project.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10062802
- **Project number:** 5P01AI100148-08
- **Recipient organization:** CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Pamela J Bjorkman
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $411,250
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10062802

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10062802, Core A: Automated Cell/Biochemical Assays Core (5P01AI100148-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10062802. Licensed CC0.

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