PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – HIV/STD LABORATORY (HSL) CORE J The broad, long-term objectives of the HIV/STD Laboratory (HSL) Core are to provide laboratory support for HIV- and STD-related basic and clinical research to the UNC CFAR community. The specific aims include: (1) provide expert services to support clinical, translational, and basic studies, (2) develop and evaluate new technologies and services applicable to research by CFAR investigators, (3) interact with other CFAR Cores and other institutions beyond the CFAR, (4) support the UNC CFAR Scientific Working Group and Research Interest Groups, and provide training and mentorship, (5) engage in dissemination of results, outreach to stakeholders, strategic planning, and evaluation of Core services, and (6) follow uniform CFAR policies and procedures. To achieve these aims, the HSL Core collaborates with UNC CFAR investigators to provide the services, specimens, equipment, or training needed by the investigators to achieve their research goals. The Core contributes to grant writing, design of experiments, and write-up of results. The services offered include specimen processing for clinical trials, provision of specimens, flow cytometry, biomarker quantitation, and diagnostics for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. New services are developed in response to investigator requests and priority research areas for the CFAR. Management and strategic planning of the Core will be guided by consultation with the Core Directors, surveys of the CFAR membership, an Internal Advisory Board, an External Advisory Board, and through discussions at CFAR retreats.