ALERT

Register for our Shared Research Facilities Showcase!

Pitt’s shared research facilities house special-purpose equipment and offer expert consultation to support a wide range of technical areas across the University.
 
Join us to explore these facilities to enhance your research! Network with Pitt research specialists and discuss specific research questions.
 
As you explore the event, stop by each information table to grab a stamp on your Shared Research Facilities game board. Collect enough stamps and you'll be entered into our raffle for awesome prizes!

When: Monday, October 19th, 2026 from 2pm-5pm

Where: University Club, Ballroom B (second floor)

Who: Open to all Pitt faculty, students, and staff

Light appetizers and drinks will be provided.

Please register here: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2srDXoGkJ933Nrw

Registration is Encouraged but not Required

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CFAR Core E: Viral Pathogenesis & Persistence

Overview of Equipment and Services

The Rustbelt Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), a partnership between Case Western Reserve University and the University of Pittsburgh, provides administrative and shared research support to enhance and coordinate high quality AIDS research through its core facilities. CFAR Core E: Viral Pathogenesis and Persistence serves as a central resource for HIV virology research, supporting studies focused on HIV pathogenesis, infection, incidence, transmission, reservoirs and cure research. Core E services include, but are not limited to, cell-based assays for viral latency, outgrowth, inhibition, and neutralization; HIV-1 sequencing assays such as integration site analysis, Sanger sequencing, and next-generation sequencing; and multiple viral quantification methods ranging from HIV-1 DNA/RNA measurement and viral load testing to single-copy assays. Core E partners closely with Uganda Core C to expand global research capacity, transfer cutting-edge virology methods, and enhance drug-resistance testing and cure research in Uganda. Core E also provides training, guidance, and collaborative support, especially for early-stage investigators, and experienced staff assist users in selecting the appropriate instrumentation, project planning and training.

Location and Hours of Operation

Primary: Scaife Hall 8th Floor, 3550 Terrace Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213

Primary Sq. Ft: 2703

Days of the Week

Hours open

Monday – Friday

9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Resources

  • CFAR Core E Viral Pathogenesis & Persistence website
  • Please acknowledge the “Rustbelt Center for AIDS Research (P30 AI036219)” in your publications, abstracts, grant proposals and presentations resulting from research projects for which you have received funding, core services, or mentorship through the CWRU/UH/Pitt Rustbelt CFAR

Contacts

Name Role Phone Email Location
Kerri Penrose, MS
Facility Director
 
412-383-3922
 
kjp43@pitt.edu
 
Scaife Hall S817a
 
Joshua Cyktor, PhD
Faculty Director
 
412-648-8393
 
jcc114@pitt.edu
 
Scaife Hall A807
 

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