Technologies and Resources for Core Laboratories

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The Technology and Resources for Core Laboratories Core (Technology Core) of the West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute (WVCTSI) supports research infrastructure critical for rapid translation of innovation to positively impact the health of West Virginians. Importantly, the Technology Core leverages the significant previous IDeA investment in West Virginia, while bringing exciting innovation to support clinical and translational (C/T) investigators’ efforts. Resources described in this Core are essential in providing infrastructure to engage and train C/T scientists with a focus on essential pipeline development as well as diversity of the future generation of C/T investigators. The Technology Core will leverage a strong statewide infrastructure through partnerships with West Virginia University (WVU), Marshall University (MU), NIOSH and the WV DHHR that has been strengthened during the previous funding period. New technical capacity will be provided to investigators and their trainees to support interrogation of current, acute, problems as well as being positioned to take on emerging and future public health crises. The capacity to be nimble in the scope and focus of research that can be supported, both technically and intellectually, is central to the Core. The specific aims that will operationalize our progress towards these goals include to: (1) develop and optimize molecular and protein-based diagnostic assays and support lead compound optimization via an automated pipeline in the newly established Molecular Medicine Laboratory (MML), (2) enable investigations of the health effects of inhalation exposures relevant to rural communities via the state of the art inhalation toxicology facility (iTox) and (3) support translational investigations of pathogens underlying emerging infectious diseases. Focus across the Technology Core is provided by tethering all activities to WVCTSI priority health areas to avoid diffusion of investment and energy, and maximize investment to achieve significant and measurable outcomes. Relevance is obtained by absolute diligence in the design and focus of each aim connecting to a clinical application. In combination, this results in impact on our understanding of specific diseases of interest, and the potential to impact positively on the health of West Virginians while contributing to the broader scientific community.