Since 1989, the UAB CFAR Flow Cytometry Core has provided state-of-the-art technical resources to support AIDS research programs. The use of flow cytometric analysis has become ever more prominent as newer approaches for dissecting the interactions between HIV and cells of the immune system have been developed; fluorescent based reporter systems have been harnessed to monitor virus replication, reactivation, and recombination; and sophisticated technological advances in instrumentation have provided new platforms for high-speed polychromatic analyses and cell sorting.

The Flow Cytometry Core also provides training to investigators to optimize their applications, to utilize flow cytometers, and introduce novel technologies as they became available to the scientific community. The staff of the core also strive to facilitate scientific communication and collaborations among HIV researchers.

Our Core Aims are as follows:

1. To provide state-of-the-art flow cytometric analysis capabilities and service to UAB CFAR members and members of the UAB research community.

2. To provide continuous education and training for new users and provide assistance for the experienced user.

3. Develop innovations to specifically address users’ needs by ensuring that Flow Core users can take advantage of current technological advances and incorporate state-of-the-art flow cytometric assays into their research programs.

4. To seek feedback and suggestions to ensure a high level of quality for existing capabilities and implementation of novel fluorescence technologies.