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Diagnostics
Development Core
Collaborating Institution: University of Houston, Houston, TX
Director: Richard Willson, PhD
Co-Director: Juan Olano, MD – University
of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
Co-Investigator: Anson Hatch, PhD – Sandia
National Laboratories, Livermore, CA
Consultant: Washington C. Winn, Jr., MD, MBA – University
of Vermont, Burlington, VT
Description: The WRCE Diagnostics Development Core supports
and enhances the efficiency of diagnostics development
projects within
the WRCE by providing common access to generally-applicable technologies,
shared reagents and animal models, BSL-3 and BSL-4 testing of
diagnostics, and specialized consulting services. Diagnostics
workshops will
be organized by the Core, with topics of interest to be decided
by the diagnostics theme members. Animal challenge samples from
vaccine projects will be harvested by the Core for efficient
testing of diagnostic technologies. Technology development
activities include
the production of molecular recognition reagents (e.g., antibodies)
for neglected pathogens, and microfluidics tools for the conversion
of laboratory assays into practical diagnostic platforms. Shared
reagents and animal models are economically more efficient, conserve
animals, and enhance inter- and intra-laboratory comparisons
of experimental diagnostics with gold standards and with
each other.
Moreover, we believe that common use of the core facilities by
the RCE investigators will have the additional benefit of promoting
scientific dialog beyond the boundaries of the individual laboratories.
Central access to the Core's BSL-3 and BSL-4 testing facilities
allows realistic testing of candidate diagnostics with virulent
agents that would be difficult or even impossible for the individual
investigator to access at reasonable cost. Finally, specialized
advice on the translation of laboratory technologies into a genuinely
useful platform diagnostic test will be provided by an experienced
consultant, and will be made available to all diagnostics theme
investigators.
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