Core 5: Integrated Support Services

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Core 5: Integrated Research Support Services Abstract The Integrated Research Support Services (ISS) Core serves to organize shared services that are provided to the research community within the NEIDL. These services support BSL-4/ABSL-4 studies to ensure that each investigator does not have to recreate infrastructure and expertise in their laboratories in order to carry out their funded research programs. The core will develop schedules and manage costs so that reasonable and responsible user fees are charged to investigators using these services to offset overall costs, as appropriate. The services offered evolve over time such that new services can be offered as the needs of the research community changes. Currently, core is broadly separated into the Animal Research Support Services, and the BSL-4 Laboratory Services. Animal Research Services includes trained veterinary professionals and veterinary technicians who collaborate with faculty to carry out studies in various animal models. The team is trained on a number of procedures to increase safety when working with animals, especially those that require the use of sharps. This unit also works with investigators to ensure the humane use of animals and to comply with institutional animal care and use committee requirements. Within the BSL-4 Laboratory Services, a number of units exist to support the BSL-4 and ABSL-4 studies. These include Veterinary Pathology (anatomic and laboratory) Service which oversees the necropsy services, storage and maintenance of the samples in compliance with the CDC select agent program, and is responsible for establishing and validating the inactivation protocols required to move tissues to the BSL-2. The Veterinary Pathologist is responsible for clinical chemistry. Virology Services is responsible for receiving, validating, and inventorying viruses that are utilized in BSL-4 research. This includes generating master and working stocks as well as maintaining an accurate inventory of agents. This core also develops advanced virologic tools as needed. The Viral Genomic Tracking and Single Cell omics Resource is responsible for ensuring the fidelity of viral stocks from VS given to investigators for their research, and for initiating single cell sequencing and single virus omics technologies in the BSL-4. The Imaging Services Unit provides several platforms to study living tissue specimens infected with BSL-4 pathogens, including Light Sheet microscopy. Many of the BSL-4 investigators rely on services from the NEIDL Comparative Pathology Laboratory (NCPL). Immunology Services provides training, guidance and maintenance of advanced immunology instrumentation inside the BSL-4 footprint, including flow cytometry. High-throughput screening has been operationalized to include automated visual screening of virus infected cells treated with small molecule inhibitors, and can be adapted to any virus or cell target. Linking the Clinic to NEIDL Programs includes a clinician whose responsibilities are to link clinical outcomes to the studies that are undertaken in the NEIDL (for comparative purposes) as well as to engage with clinical programs to obtain clinical samples for studies.