CORE--SCIENTIFIC INTEGRATION AND ADMINISTRATION

The purpose of this core is to provide scientific integration of the program, as well as
support and assistance to Program Director in organizing and implementing the program. This
includes providing logistical support on administrative and clerical matters, facilitating interactions between Project Leaders, database maintenance and administration, data sharing, experimental planning, manuscript writing and submission, progress report submission, financial tracking and management, as well as organizing external evaluation of the progress and overall direction of the program. Specific aims are:
1. To ensure interactive environment and foster a cohesive, focused relationship among the
Project Leaders and their groups at the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute (VGTI) and the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC), as well as with consultants at the University of Pittsburgh and the Population Council in New York. This will be accomplished through regular meetings and video conferences.
2. Facilitate the exchange of information between the investigators and collaborators. Given an
extraordinary level of integration via the usage of the same animal cohort and often of same samples, insight by the primary investigators into each other's results is critical. To that effect, a common, secure database, accessible only to the key personnel of the grant will be used to aid in disseminating this information.
3. Promote scientific advance of the Program by inviting external speakers in the area of immune
and general gerontology and by establishing an external advisory board to review the progress and provide independent scientific oversight.
4. Provide general administrative and fiscal support to Program investigators.