# Core 2: Virology Core

> **NIH NIH P01** · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · 2021 · $339,548

## Abstract

ABSTRACT – Virology Core (Core 2, Leader: Dr. Ann Chahroudi, Emory University) 
Achieving the proposed Program's goal requires precise quantitation and characterization of SHIV reservoirs 
and viral dynamics. The Virology Core's objective is to support the Program's two Projects in the rigorous 
testing of their central hypotheses by providing state-of-the-art virological tools including (i) quantitative PCR 
analyses of cell-associated SHIV DNA and RNA and plasma SHIV RNA, (ii) combined cell culture and PCR- 
based assays quantifying the proportion of replication-competent viruses, and (iii) viral sequence analyses by 
deep sequencing and single genome analysis (SGA). The Virology Core will be led by Dr. Chahroudi, with both 
routine and novel assays performed in her laboratory at Emory University, and in collaboration with Duke 
sequencing expertise to provide standardized techniques across Projects 1 & 2 that will permit the 
ascertainment of interpretable and generalizable results. The Core proposes the following Specific Aims: 1) 
Quantitative PCR analysis of viral loads in plasma and cells. 2) Estimation of the reservoir size by 
quantification of replication-competent / inducible virus; and 3) Sequence analyses of pre-ART and rebound 
viremia in comparison to cell-associated SHIV variants during ART and at rebound. These Aims will make use 
SIV/SHIV quantification assays developed by Dr. Chahroudi's laboratory and rigorously evaluated for 
sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility in the animal model to be used, as well as SIV/HIV sequencing 
expertise of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute. The Virology Core will serve both Projects and interact with 
both the Administrative and Statistical Core and the Nonhuman Primate Core of this Program to achieve our 
shared goals. The Virology Core is thus strongly positioned to generate reliable and quantifiable data to 
rigorously assess the origin, predictors, and virologic correlates of viral rebound in this Program.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10194351
- **Project number:** 5P01AI131276-06
- **Recipient organization:** WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Ann M Chahroudi
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $339,548
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-07-24 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10194351

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10194351, Core 2: Virology Core (5P01AI131276-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10194351. Licensed CC0.

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