# Viral Assays Core

> **NIH NIH U19** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2021 · $121,515

## Abstract

Viral Assays Core – SUMMARY
Core B is a Viral Assay Core serving the three Projects. The overall goal of this U19 proposal is to define the
cellular immune response to persistent viral infection within tissues of the host. The immune response
controlling the persistence of a complex DNA virus, such as human cytomegalovirus (CMV), is poorly
understood. CMV infects a multitude of different cell types in its host, resulting in a dynamic persistence
marked by intermittent or persistent antigen presentation that shapes the immune response to infection in
tissues where the virus persists. Preliminary data presented in this proposal defines the presence and unique
functional profiles of CMV-specific T cells within tissues of infected individuals. It is critical to consider the
presence of the virus in defining profiles and function of T cells, DCs, and macrophages responding to
persistent infection. Aim 1 of the Viral Assay Core is to profile tissues and blood from human organ donors and
blood from transplant patients the presence of viral genomes. We will also define the DC and macrophage cell
types within tissues that harbor latent virus. Aim 2 of the Viral Assays Core is to provide infected cells and cell
free virus for functional assays proposed in DCs and macrophages. The PI of this core has extensive expertise
in CMV infection and latency in specialized primary human cell models necessary to carry out this aim. This
service core will allow immune cell presence and function to be correlated to the presence of virus in specific
tissues in the host. Considering the presence of virus in tissues is critical in defining the immune response to
viral persistence.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10074525
- **Project number:** 5U19AI128949-05
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Felicia D Goodrum
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $121,515
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-01-01 → 2022-03-17

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10074525

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10074525, Viral Assays Core (5U19AI128949-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10074525. Licensed CC0.

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