GENOMICS
The Functional Genomics and Virology Core supplies biological samples for genomic and proteomic analyses and performs gene expression profiling usi
ng DNA microarrays and real-time PCR. Our microarray analyses use human, mouse, and macaque oligonucleotide microarrays from Agilent Technologies. Gene expression data is analyzed using the Rosetta Resolver System, and this data is integrated with protein abundance measurements obtained from the Proteomics Core. Virologic assays include dual-labeling in situ hybridization to quantitatively assess the distribution of HCV genomes, viral load measurement, HCV genotype testing, and HCV quasispecies analysis.
The biological samples we analyze come from a variety of systems, including serial liver biopsies from patients with recurrent HCV after liver transplantation and biopsies from patients with HCV-associated liver disease ranging from mild fibrosis to hepatocellular carcinoma. We also use a variety of experimental models to study HCV infection, including the SCID-beige/Alb-uPA chimeric mouse model and the HCV 2a in vitro infection system.
AIDS-related studies include in vitro HIV-1 infection systems, nonhuman primate models of AIDS, and the analysis of liver biopsies from patients co-infected with HCV and HIV-1. HCV/HIV-1 co-infection is an increasing public health problem and our studies provide a unique opportunity to address the complexities associated with dual infection.