Core A

Investigators: Mark Atkinson, Camillo Ricordi

In short, this proposed Program represents a very large undertaking. Its scope will necessitate an effective Administrative Core component to act as a central element of fiscal and scientific co-ordination.

The goals of this Core will be as follows:

• To coordinate the budgetary and financial aspects of the Program. The proposed Program budget approaches $2 Million per year (on average) in direct and in-direct cost disbursements to investigators of six Projects and four Cores, hence careful oversight represents an absolute administrative requirement.
• To facilitate communication among investigators within the Program. This will take form through performance of many functions ranging from regularly scheduled meetings between Program investigators to Core training programs.
• To establish an external advisory committee to provide ongoing feedback with regard to the progress and success of the Program. If this Program is funded, an external advisory committee will be formed consisting of external experts in viral vectors, immunology, and transplantation. This committee will meet at the University of Florida on a yearly basis and will provide written summaries of their evaluation of the Center and recommendations for improvement.
• To facilitate communication of Program results. In addition to the aforementioned functions, the administrative staff of the Program will also be responsible for communication with the JDFI staff, for facilitating travel arrangements for investigators to travel to national meetings, and for assistance with publications and presentation of Program results.
• Finally, we would hope that this Program, through its Administrative Core, might serve as a model for the JDFI to test new and more effective ways for Program evaluation and information exchange (both lay and scientific).