# Clinical Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2022 · $325,449

## Abstract

Core C: Clinical
ABSTRACT
The Penn CFAR Clinical Core (Core C) forms the central nexus for patient-oriented interdisciplinary
research conducted by CFAR investigators to advance knowledge that will improve the lives of people affected
by HIV/AIDS, including adults, adolescents (behaviorally infected), and children (perinatally infected). Core C's
overarching objectives are to: (a) galvanize basic, translational, clinical, epidemiologic, and behavioral
research by providing investigators with a broad range of data and clinical material from HIV-infected individuals,
including both biomedical and behavioral data, and stored and freshly-acquired specimens including a highly
innovative new program of access to lymphoid and other tissues; (b) support for recruitment of HIV-infected
or at-risk individuals into clinical studies; (c) provide advice, consultation and expertise in utilization of
these services and clinical study development; and (d) provide education, training, mentorship and
leadership in clinical research. Core C is led by Drs. Ian Frank (Director), and Elizabeth Lowenthal and Vincent
Lo Re (Co-Directors). Over the current funding period, Core C has contributed to >150 research projects with
important discoveries in HIV reservoirs, first-in-human clinical trials, and other HIV/AIDS research priority areas.
The Clinical Core achieves its mission through essential services for CFAR investigators including: (1) Data and
subject recruitment via an Adult/Adolescent Database comprised of >3000 patients cared for at one adolescent
and 4 adult HIV practices, and a Pediatric Database with longitudinal data on 275 perinatally infected children;
(2) Patient material via the CFAR Adult/Adolescent & Pediatric Specimen Repositories linked to the Databases,
and by procurement of fresh material, including blood, apheresis products, genital secretions, gastrointestinal
tissue, lymph node biopsies & aspirates, and lymph via cannulation of the thoracic duct; (3) Consultation on
design and execution of clinical and translational studies, assistance with IRB issues, and laboratory assistance
with processing, storage, and shipment of clinical specimens; (4) Educational activities & mentorship for
trainees and junior faculty to advance their research and enhance success in clinical/translational AIDS research.
The Clinical Core's services, leadership and expertise have evolved over the current funding cycle in response
to emerging opportunities and priorities identified through proactive strategic planning, user feedback, and input
from internal and external advisors. The Core fosters research aligned with NIH and Penn CFAR HIV/AIDS
research priorities, including the agendas of the two CFAR Scientific Working Groups: HIV Reservoirs & Tissue
Immunology and Technology to Reduce HIV Disparities. Looking ahead, several recently-introduced
innovations will be featured and expanded in the coming funding cycle, including access to lymphoid tissues
relevant to underst...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10463865
- **Project number:** 5P30AI045008-24
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Ian Frank
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $325,449
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1999-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10463865

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10463865, Clinical Core (5P30AI045008-24). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10463865. Licensed CC0.

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