The Cores function as a catalyst of scientific activity in their area; ideas initiated and discussed at the Core Research team level become more fully developed concepts and then with facilitation by the National Centre, move through development to final protocols for grant funding and implementation. Core teams focus the expertise of clinical investigators and nurses, trial coordinators, CTN support staff, and members of the HIV community, on generating trial protocols that address the most urgent clinical questions of the day.
The Core research areas and their leadership:
Clinical Management Science (CMS) Core
(Core Co-leaders: Drs. Fiona Smaill and Sharon Walmsley)
The Clinical Management Science Core focuses on three areas of research that address the needs of the HIV-patient populations at various stages: Individuals’ needs from diagnosis and before initiation of ART; individuals’ needs after initiation of ART, including toxicity and clinical management; and determinants of efficacy related to ART.
Co-infections and Concurrent Diseases (CCD) Core
(Core Co-leaders: Drs. Curtis Cooper and Marina Klein)
The Co-infections and Concurrent Diseases Core focuses on the epidemiology and clinical care of emerging co-infections like HCV and HPV, as well as concurrent diseases like syphilis.
Prevention and Vulnerable Populations (PVP) Core
(Core Co-leaders: Drs. Mona Loutfy and Cathy Worthington)
The Prevention and Vulnerable Populations Core focuses on HIV/AIDS prevention strategies, identifying the needs of vulnerable/at-risk HIV-positive individuals and engaging vulnerable/at-risk HIV-infected individuals in health care.
Vaccines and Immunotherapies (VIT) Core
(Core Co-leaders: Drs. Jonathan Angel and Jean-Pierre Routy)
The Vaccines and Immunotherapies Core focuses on research in targeted immunotherapies, prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines, and emerging areas of research in treatment and immune-system support. The VIT Core aims to broaden interest in vaccines and immunotherapies and to engage more investigators in this area from across Canada.