Scientific & Laboratory Services: CCI provides molecular and serologic diagnostic support to the Measles Mumps Rubella and Herpes Virus Laboratory Branch (MMRHLB) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including the specialized testing of specimens submitted to the laboratory and assistance with Branch reporting, training and research projects.  Specific tasks include performance of routine diagnostic testing of serum specimens submitted to the MMRHLB from state and local laboratories; provision of reference diagnostics to laboratories within the WHO and PAHO Measles Laboratory Networks; maintenance of a serological database of specimens received; specialized immunological and virologic procedures such as virus neutralization and RT-PCR; coordination of testing of specimens relevant to international collaborative research projects to enhance the surveillance and detection of measles and rubella virus infections; research and development of new protocols for laboratory diagnosis of measles and rubella virus infection; development of a variety of novel laboratory tests or the use of alternative specimens to diagnose mumps and to define the immune correlates for protection from mumps disease; and back-up diagnostic capability for the rubella program.