diff --git a/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page-routing.module.ts b/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page-routing.module.ts
index c886aa655c..ca56bca2cd 100644
--- a/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page-routing.module.ts
+++ b/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page-routing.module.ts
@@ -2,12 +2,23 @@ import { NgModule } from '@angular/core';
 import { RouterModule } from '@angular/router';
 
 import { CollectionPageComponent } from './collection-page.component';
+import { CollectionPageResolver } from './collection-page.resolver';
 
 @NgModule({
   imports: [
     RouterModule.forChild([
-      { path: ':id', component: CollectionPageComponent, pathMatch: 'full' }
+      {
+        path: ':id',
+        component: CollectionPageComponent,
+        pathMatch: 'full',
+        resolve: {
+          collection: CollectionPageResolver
+        }
+      }
     ])
+  ],
+  providers: [
+    CollectionPageResolver,
   ]
 })
 export class CollectionPageRoutingModule {
diff --git a/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.component.html b/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.component.html
index 05b4d6f11e..a233163070 100644
--- a/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.component.html
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <div class="container">
   <div class="collection-page"
-       *ngVar="(collectionRDObs | async) as collectionRD">
+       *ngVar="(collectionRD$ | async) as collectionRD">
     <div *ngIf="collectionRD?.hasSucceeded" @fadeInOut>
       <div *ngIf="collectionRD?.payload as collection">
         <!-- Collection Name -->
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@
           [name]="collection.name">
         </ds-comcol-page-header>
         <!-- Collection logo -->
-        <ds-comcol-page-logo *ngIf="logoRDObs"
-                             [logo]="(logoRDObs | async)?.payload"
+        <ds-comcol-page-logo *ngIf="logoRD$"
+                             [logo]="(logoRD$ | async)?.payload"
                              [alternateText]="'Collection Logo'">
         </ds-comcol-page-logo>
         <!-- Introductionary text -->
@@ -38,14 +38,14 @@
     <ds-error *ngIf="collectionRD?.hasFailed" message="{{'error.collection' | translate}}"></ds-error>
     <ds-loading *ngIf="collectionRD?.isLoading" message="{{'loading.collection' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
     <br>
-    <ng-container *ngVar="(itemRDObs | async) as itemRD">
+    <ng-container *ngVar="(itemRD$ | async) as itemRD">
       <div *ngIf="itemRD?.hasSucceeded" @fadeIn>
         <h2>{{'collection.page.browse.recent.head' | translate}}</h2>
         <ds-viewable-collection
           [config]="paginationConfig"
           [sortConfig]="sortConfig"
           [objects]="itemRD"
-          [hideGear]="false"
+          [hideGear]="true"
           (paginationChange)="onPaginationChange($event)">
         </ds-viewable-collection>
       </div>
diff --git a/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.component.ts b/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.component.ts
index 4a935b73b9..89567c4a54 100644
--- a/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.component.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
 import { Subscription } from 'rxjs/Subscription';
 import { SortDirection, SortOptions } from '../core/cache/models/sort-options.model';
 import { CollectionDataService } from '../core/data/collection-data.service';
-import { ItemDataService } from '../core/data/item-data.service';
 import { PaginatedList } from '../core/data/paginated-list';
 import { RemoteData } from '../core/data/remote-data';
 
@@ -18,6 +17,11 @@ import { Item } from '../core/shared/item.model';
 import { fadeIn, fadeInOut } from '../shared/animations/fade';
 import { hasValue, isNotEmpty } from '../shared/empty.util';
 import { PaginationComponentOptions } from '../shared/pagination/pagination-component-options.model';
+import { filter, flatMap, map } from 'rxjs/operators';
+import { SearchService } from '../+search-page/search-service/search.service';
+import { PaginatedSearchOptions } from '../+search-page/paginated-search-options.model';
+import { toDSpaceObjectListRD } from '../core/shared/operators';
+import { DSpaceObjectType } from '../core/shared/dspace-object-type.model';
 
 @Component({
   selector: 'ds-collection-page',
@@ -30,9 +34,9 @@ import { PaginationComponentOptions } from '../shared/pagination/pagination-comp
   ]
 })
 export class CollectionPageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
-  collectionRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<Collection>>;
-  itemRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<PaginatedList<Item>>>;
-  logoRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<Bitstream>>;
+  collectionRD$: Observable<RemoteData<Collection>>;
+  itemRD$: Observable<RemoteData<PaginatedList<Item>>>;
+  logoRD$: Observable<RemoteData<Bitstream>>;
   paginationConfig: PaginationComponentOptions;
   sortConfig: SortOptions;
   private subs: Subscription[] = [];
@@ -40,7 +44,7 @@ export class CollectionPageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
 
   constructor(
     private collectionDataService: CollectionDataService,
-    private itemDataService: ItemDataService,
+    private searchService: SearchService,
     private metadata: MetadataService,
     private route: ActivatedRoute
   ) {
@@ -48,52 +52,41 @@ export class CollectionPageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
     this.paginationConfig.id = 'collection-page-pagination';
     this.paginationConfig.pageSize = 5;
     this.paginationConfig.currentPage = 1;
-    this.sortConfig = new SortOptions('dc.title', SortDirection.ASC);
+    this.sortConfig = new SortOptions('dc.date.accessioned', SortDirection.DESC);
   }
 
   ngOnInit(): void {
+    this.collectionRD$ = this.route.data.map((data) => data.collection);
+    this.logoRD$ = this.collectionRD$.pipe(
+      map((rd: RemoteData<Collection>) => rd.payload),
+      filter((collection: Collection) => hasValue(collection)),
+      flatMap((collection: Collection) => collection.logo)
+    );
     this.subs.push(
-      Observable.combineLatest(
-        this.route.params,
-        this.route.queryParams,
-        (params, queryParams, ) => {
-          return Object.assign({}, params, queryParams);
-        })
-        .subscribe((params) => {
-          this.collectionId = params.id;
-          this.collectionRDObs = this.collectionDataService.findById(this.collectionId);
-          this.metadata.processRemoteData(this.collectionRDObs);
-          this.subs.push(this.collectionRDObs
-            .map((rd: RemoteData<Collection>) => rd.payload)
-            .filter((collection: Collection) => hasValue(collection))
-            .subscribe((collection: Collection) => this.logoRDObs = collection.logo));
-
-          const page = +params.page || this.paginationConfig.currentPage;
-          const pageSize = +params.pageSize || this.paginationConfig.pageSize;
-          const sortDirection = +params.page || this.sortConfig.direction;
-          const pagination = Object.assign({},
-            this.paginationConfig,
-            { currentPage: page, pageSize: pageSize }
-          );
-          const sort = Object.assign({},
-            this.sortConfig,
-            { direction: sortDirection, field: params.sortField }
-          );
-          this.updatePage({
-            pagination: pagination,
-            sort: sort
-          });
-        }));
+      this.route.queryParams.subscribe((params) => {
+        this.metadata.processRemoteData(this.collectionRD$);
+        const page = +params.page || this.paginationConfig.currentPage;
+        const pageSize = +params.pageSize || this.paginationConfig.pageSize;
+        const pagination = Object.assign({},
+          this.paginationConfig,
+          { currentPage: page, pageSize: pageSize }
+        );
+        this.updatePage({
+          pagination: pagination,
+          sort: this.sortConfig
+        });
+      }));
 
   }
 
   updatePage(searchOptions) {
-    this.itemRDObs = this.itemDataService.findAll({
-      scopeID: this.collectionId,
-      currentPage: searchOptions.pagination.currentPage,
-      elementsPerPage: searchOptions.pagination.pageSize,
-      sort: searchOptions.sort
-    });
+    this.itemRD$ = this.searchService.search(
+      new PaginatedSearchOptions({
+        scope: this.collectionId,
+        pagination: searchOptions.pagination,
+        sort: searchOptions.sort,
+        dsoType: DSpaceObjectType.ITEM
+      })).pipe(toDSpaceObjectListRD()) as Observable<RemoteData<PaginatedList<Item>>>;
   }
 
   ngOnDestroy(): void {
diff --git a/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.module.ts b/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.module.ts
index d0bc918b22..85462e67a3 100644
--- a/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.module.ts
+++ b/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.module.ts
@@ -5,11 +5,13 @@ import { SharedModule } from '../shared/shared.module';
 
 import { CollectionPageComponent } from './collection-page.component';
 import { CollectionPageRoutingModule } from './collection-page-routing.module';
+import { SearchPageModule } from '../+search-page/search-page.module';
 
 @NgModule({
   imports: [
     CommonModule,
     SharedModule,
+    SearchPageModule,
     CollectionPageRoutingModule
   ],
   declarations: [
diff --git a/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.resolver.ts b/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.resolver.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c049901bf2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.resolver.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+import { Injectable } from '@angular/core';
+import { ActivatedRouteSnapshot, Resolve, RouterStateSnapshot } from '@angular/router';
+import { Collection } from '../core/shared/collection.model';
+import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
+import { CollectionDataService } from '../core/data/collection-data.service';
+import { RemoteData } from '../core/data/remote-data';
+import { getSucceededRemoteData } from '../core/shared/operators';
+
+/**
+ * This class represents a resolver that requests a specific collection before the route is activated
+ */
+@Injectable()
+export class CollectionPageResolver implements Resolve<RemoteData<Collection>> {
+  constructor(private collectionService: CollectionDataService) {
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Method for resolving a collection based on the parameters in the current route
+   * @param {ActivatedRouteSnapshot} route The current ActivatedRouteSnapshot
+   * @param {RouterStateSnapshot} state The current RouterStateSnapshot
+   * @returns Observable<<RemoteData<Collection>> Emits the found collection based on the parameters in the current route
+   */
+  resolve(route: ActivatedRouteSnapshot, state: RouterStateSnapshot): Observable<RemoteData<Collection>> {
+    return this.collectionService.findById(route.params.id).pipe(
+      getSucceededRemoteData()
+    );
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/+community-page/community-page-routing.module.ts b/src/app/+community-page/community-page-routing.module.ts
index 6fd5cc8cb5..4cc927d341 100644
--- a/src/app/+community-page/community-page-routing.module.ts
+++ b/src/app/+community-page/community-page-routing.module.ts
@@ -2,12 +2,23 @@ import { NgModule } from '@angular/core';
 import { RouterModule } from '@angular/router';
 
 import { CommunityPageComponent } from './community-page.component';
+import { CommunityPageResolver } from './community-page.resolver';
 
 @NgModule({
   imports: [
     RouterModule.forChild([
-      { path: ':id', component: CommunityPageComponent, pathMatch: 'full' }
+      {
+        path: ':id',
+        component: CommunityPageComponent,
+        pathMatch: 'full',
+        resolve: {
+          community: CommunityPageResolver
+        }
+      }
     ])
+  ],
+  providers: [
+    CommunityPageResolver,
   ]
 })
 export class CommunityPageRoutingModule {
diff --git a/src/app/+community-page/community-page.component.html b/src/app/+community-page/community-page.component.html
index 976e1091e5..637e37af0c 100644
--- a/src/app/+community-page/community-page.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+community-page/community-page.component.html
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
-<div class="container" *ngVar="(communityRDObs | async) as communityRD">
+<div class="container" *ngVar="(communityRD$ | async) as communityRD">
   <div class="community-page" *ngIf="communityRD?.hasSucceeded" @fadeInOut>
     <div *ngIf="communityRD?.payload; let communityPayload">
       <!-- Community name -->
       <ds-comcol-page-header [name]="communityPayload.name"></ds-comcol-page-header>
       <!-- Community logo -->
-      <ds-comcol-page-logo *ngIf="logoRDObs"
-                           [logo]="(logoRDObs | async)?.payload"
+      <ds-comcol-page-logo *ngIf="logoRD$"
+                           [logo]="(logoRD$ | async)?.payload"
                            [alternateText]="'Community Logo'">
       </ds-comcol-page-logo>
       <!-- Introductory text -->
diff --git a/src/app/+community-page/community-page.component.ts b/src/app/+community-page/community-page.component.ts
index 605d488820..5fea9b01c9 100644
--- a/src/app/+community-page/community-page.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+community-page/community-page.component.ts
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
   animations: [fadeInOut]
 })
 export class CommunityPageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
-  communityRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<Community>>;
-  logoRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<Bitstream>>;
+  communityRD$: Observable<RemoteData<Community>>;
+  logoRD$: Observable<RemoteData<Bitstream>>;
   private subs: Subscription[] = [];
 
   constructor(
@@ -35,14 +35,11 @@ export class CommunityPageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
   }
 
   ngOnInit(): void {
-    this.route.params.subscribe((params: Params) => {
-      this.communityRDObs = this.communityDataService.findById(params.id);
-      this.metadata.processRemoteData(this.communityRDObs);
-      this.subs.push(this.communityRDObs
-        .map((rd: RemoteData<Community>) => rd.payload)
-        .filter((community: Community) => hasValue(community))
-        .subscribe((community: Community) => this.logoRDObs = community.logo));
-    });
+    this.communityRD$ = this.route.data.map((data) => data.community);
+    this.logoRD$ = this.communityRD$
+      .map((rd: RemoteData<Community>) => rd.payload)
+      .filter((community: Community) => hasValue(community))
+      .flatMap((community: Community) => community.logo);
   }
 
   ngOnDestroy(): void {
diff --git a/src/app/+community-page/community-page.resolver.ts b/src/app/+community-page/community-page.resolver.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..917f37a821
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/+community-page/community-page.resolver.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+import { Injectable } from '@angular/core';
+import { ActivatedRouteSnapshot, Resolve, RouterStateSnapshot } from '@angular/router';
+import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
+import { RemoteData } from '../core/data/remote-data';
+import { getSucceededRemoteData } from '../core/shared/operators';
+import { Community } from '../core/shared/community.model';
+import { CommunityDataService } from '../core/data/community-data.service';
+
+/**
+ * This class represents a resolver that requests a specific community before the route is activated
+ */
+@Injectable()
+export class CommunityPageResolver implements Resolve<RemoteData<Community>> {
+  constructor(private communityService: CommunityDataService) {
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Method for resolving a community based on the parameters in the current route
+   * @param {ActivatedRouteSnapshot} route The current ActivatedRouteSnapshot
+   * @param {RouterStateSnapshot} state The current RouterStateSnapshot
+   * @returns Observable<<RemoteData<Community>> Emits the found community based on the parameters in the current route
+   */
+  resolve(route: ActivatedRouteSnapshot, state: RouterStateSnapshot): Observable<RemoteData<Community>> {
+    return this.communityService.findById(route.params.id).pipe(
+      getSucceededRemoteData()
+    );
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/full/full-item-page.component.html b/src/app/+item-page/full/full-item-page.component.html
index 4c44b72602..1d0c4ab812 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/full/full-item-page.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/full/full-item-page.component.html
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
-<div class="container" *ngVar="(itemRDObs | async) as itemRD">
+<div class="container" *ngVar="(itemRD$ | async) as itemRD">
   <div class="item-page" *ngIf="itemRD?.hasSucceeded" @fadeInOut>
     <div *ngIf="itemRD?.payload as item">
       <ds-item-page-title-field [item]="item"></ds-item-page-title-field>
-      <div class="simple-view-link">
-        <a class="btn btn-outline-primary col-4" [routerLink]="['/items/' + item.id]">
+      <div class="simple-view-link my-3">
+        <a class="btn btn-outline-primary" [routerLink]="['/items/' + item.id]">
           {{"item.page.link.simple" | translate}}
         </a>
       </div>
       <table class="table table-responsive table-striped">
         <tbody>
-        <tr *ngFor="let metadatum of (metadataObs | async)">
+        <tr *ngFor="let metadatum of (metadata$ | async)">
           <td>{{metadatum.key}}</td>
           <td>{{metadatum.value}}</td>
           <td>{{metadatum.language}}</td>
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/full/full-item-page.component.scss b/src/app/+item-page/full/full-item-page.component.scss
index 65b9262338..4fe93bbb7a 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/full/full-item-page.component.scss
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/full/full-item-page.component.scss
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 @import '../../../styles/variables.scss';
+
 :host {
     div.simple-view-link {
         text-align: center;
-        margin: 20px;
+        a {
+            min-width: 25%;
+        }
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/full/full-item-page.component.ts b/src/app/+item-page/full/full-item-page.component.ts
index aa1fc4cc78..dafecd748e 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/full/full-item-page.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/full/full-item-page.component.ts
@@ -30,9 +30,9 @@ import { hasValue } from '../../shared/empty.util';
 })
 export class FullItemPageComponent extends ItemPageComponent implements OnInit {
 
-  itemRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<Item>>;
+  itemRD$: Observable<RemoteData<Item>>;
 
-  metadataObs: Observable<Metadatum[]>;
+  metadata$: Observable<Metadatum[]>;
 
   constructor(route: ActivatedRoute, items: ItemDataService, metadataService: MetadataService) {
     super(route, items, metadataService);
@@ -41,14 +41,9 @@ export class FullItemPageComponent extends ItemPageComponent implements OnInit {
   /*** AoT inheritance fix, will hopefully be resolved in the near future **/
   ngOnInit(): void {
     super.ngOnInit();
-  }
-
-  initialize(params) {
-    super.initialize(params);
-    this.metadataObs = this.itemRDObs
+    this.metadata$ = this.itemRD$
       .map((rd: RemoteData<Item>) => rd.payload)
       .filter((item: Item) => hasValue(item))
       .map((item: Item) => item.metadata);
   }
-
 }
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/item-page-routing.module.ts b/src/app/+item-page/item-page-routing.module.ts
index 9dca4d0f6e..96158b867e 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/item-page-routing.module.ts
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/item-page-routing.module.ts
@@ -3,13 +3,30 @@ import { RouterModule } from '@angular/router';
 
 import { ItemPageComponent } from './simple/item-page.component';
 import { FullItemPageComponent } from './full/full-item-page.component';
+import { ItemPageResolver } from './item-page.resolver';
 
 @NgModule({
   imports: [
     RouterModule.forChild([
-      { path: ':id', component: ItemPageComponent, pathMatch: 'full' },
-      { path: ':id/full', component: FullItemPageComponent }
+      {
+        path: ':id',
+        component: ItemPageComponent,
+        pathMatch: 'full',
+        resolve: {
+          item: ItemPageResolver
+        }
+      },
+      {
+        path: ':id/full',
+        component: FullItemPageComponent,
+        resolve: {
+          item: ItemPageResolver
+        }
+      }
     ])
+  ],
+  providers: [
+    ItemPageResolver,
   ]
 })
 export class ItemPageRoutingModule {
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/item-page.resolver.ts b/src/app/+item-page/item-page.resolver.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c0f4147f47
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/item-page.resolver.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+import { Injectable } from '@angular/core';
+import { ActivatedRouteSnapshot, Resolve, RouterStateSnapshot } from '@angular/router';
+import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
+import { RemoteData } from '../core/data/remote-data';
+import { getSucceededRemoteData } from '../core/shared/operators';
+import { ItemDataService } from '../core/data/item-data.service';
+import { Item } from '../core/shared/item.model';
+
+/**
+ * This class represents a resolver that requests a specific item before the route is activated
+ */
+@Injectable()
+export class ItemPageResolver implements Resolve<RemoteData<Item>> {
+  constructor(private itemService: ItemDataService) {
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Method for resolving an item based on the parameters in the current route
+   * @param {ActivatedRouteSnapshot} route The current ActivatedRouteSnapshot
+   * @param {RouterStateSnapshot} state The current RouterStateSnapshot
+   * @returns Observable<<RemoteData<Item>> Emits the found item based on the parameters in the current route
+   */
+  resolve(route: ActivatedRouteSnapshot, state: RouterStateSnapshot): Observable<RemoteData<Item>> {
+    return this.itemService.findById(route.params.id).pipe(
+      getSucceededRemoteData()
+    );
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/simple/item-page.component.html b/src/app/+item-page/simple/item-page.component.html
index 5f938364e2..98b98a5e32 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/simple/item-page.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/simple/item-page.component.html
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
-<div class="container" *ngVar="(itemRDObs | async) as itemRD">
+<div class="container" *ngVar="(itemRD$ | async) as itemRD">
   <div class="item-page" *ngIf="itemRD?.hasSucceeded" @fadeInOut>
     <div *ngIf="itemRD?.payload as item">
       <ds-item-page-title-field [item]="item"></ds-item-page-title-field>
       <div class="row">
         <div class="col-xs-12 col-md-4">
           <ds-metadata-field-wrapper>
-            <ds-thumbnail [thumbnail]="thumbnailObs | async"></ds-thumbnail>
+            <ds-thumbnail [thumbnail]="thumbnail$ | async"></ds-thumbnail>
           </ds-metadata-field-wrapper>
           <ds-item-page-file-section [item]="item"></ds-item-page-file-section>
           <ds-item-page-date-field [item]="item"></ds-item-page-date-field>
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/simple/item-page.component.ts b/src/app/+item-page/simple/item-page.component.ts
index 58a056a5dd..7ff304236d 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/simple/item-page.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/simple/item-page.component.ts
@@ -31,9 +31,9 @@ export class ItemPageComponent implements OnInit {
 
   private sub: any;
 
-  itemRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<Item>>;
+  itemRD$: Observable<RemoteData<Item>>;
 
-  thumbnailObs: Observable<Bitstream>;
+  thumbnail$: Observable<Bitstream>;
 
   constructor(
     private route: ActivatedRoute,
@@ -44,19 +44,11 @@ export class ItemPageComponent implements OnInit {
   }
 
   ngOnInit(): void {
-    this.sub = this.route.params.subscribe((params) => {
-      this.initialize(params);
-    });
-  }
-
-  initialize(params) {
-    this.id = +params.id;
-    this.itemRDObs = this.items.findById(params.id);
-    this.metadataService.processRemoteData(this.itemRDObs);
-    this.thumbnailObs = this.itemRDObs
+    this.itemRD$ = this.route.data.map((data) => data.item);
+    this.metadataService.processRemoteData(this.itemRD$);
+    this.thumbnail$ = this.itemRD$
       .map((rd: RemoteData<Item>) => rd.payload)
       .filter((item: Item) => hasValue(item))
       .flatMap((item: Item) => item.getThumbnail());
   }
-
 }
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/paginated-search-options.model.spec.ts b/src/app/+search-page/paginated-search-options.model.spec.ts
index 312e170f1b..e8688fd84f 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/paginated-search-options.model.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/paginated-search-options.model.spec.ts
@@ -2,22 +2,19 @@ import 'rxjs/add/observable/of';
 import { SortDirection, SortOptions } from '../core/cache/models/sort-options.model';
 import { PaginationComponentOptions } from '../shared/pagination/pagination-component-options.model';
 import { PaginatedSearchOptions } from './paginated-search-options.model';
+import { DSpaceObjectType } from '../core/shared/dspace-object-type.model';
+import { SearchFilter } from './search-filter.model';
 
 describe('PaginatedSearchOptions', () => {
   let options: PaginatedSearchOptions;
   const sortOptions = new SortOptions('test.field', SortDirection.DESC);
   const pageOptions = Object.assign(new PaginationComponentOptions(), { pageSize: 40, page: 1 });
-  const filters = { 'f.test': ['value'], 'f.example': ['another value', 'second value'] };
+  const filters = [new SearchFilter('f.test', ['value']), new SearchFilter('f.example', ['another value', 'second value'])];
   const query = 'search query';
   const scope = '0fde1ecb-82cc-425a-b600-ac3576d76b47';
   const baseUrl = 'www.rest.com';
   beforeEach(() => {
-    options = new PaginatedSearchOptions();
-    options.sort = sortOptions;
-    options.pagination = pageOptions;
-    options.filters = filters;
-    options.query = query;
-    options.scope = scope;
+    options = new PaginatedSearchOptions({sort: sortOptions, pagination: pageOptions, filters: filters, query: query, scope: scope, dsoType: DSpaceObjectType.ITEM});
   });
 
   describe('when toRestUrl is called', () => {
@@ -30,6 +27,7 @@ describe('PaginatedSearchOptions', () => {
         'size=40&' +
         'query=search query&' +
         'scope=0fde1ecb-82cc-425a-b600-ac3576d76b47&' +
+        'dsoType=ITEM&' +
         'f.test=value,query&' +
         'f.example=another value,query&' +
         'f.example=second value,query'
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/paginated-search-options.model.ts b/src/app/+search-page/paginated-search-options.model.ts
index a1d147fb9d..8f4d93b0df 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/paginated-search-options.model.ts
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/paginated-search-options.model.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ import { SortOptions } from '../core/cache/models/sort-options.model';
 import { PaginationComponentOptions } from '../shared/pagination/pagination-component-options.model';
 import { isNotEmpty } from '../shared/empty.util';
 import { SearchOptions } from './search-options.model';
+import { SearchFilter } from './search-filter.model';
+import { DSpaceObjectType } from '../core/shared/dspace-object-type.model';
 
 /**
  * This model class represents all parameters needed to request information about a certain page of a search request, in a certain order
@@ -10,6 +12,12 @@ export class PaginatedSearchOptions extends SearchOptions {
   pagination?: PaginationComponentOptions;
   sort?: SortOptions;
 
+  constructor(options: {scope?: string, query?: string, dsoType?: DSpaceObjectType, filters?: SearchFilter[], pagination?: PaginationComponentOptions, sort?: SortOptions}) {
+    super(options);
+    this.pagination = options.pagination;
+    this.sort = options.sort;
+  }
+
   /**
    * Method to generate the URL that can be used to request a certain page with specific sort options
    * @param {string} url The URL to the REST endpoint
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search-filter.model.ts b/src/app/+search-page/search-filter.model.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2f81f67d83
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search-filter.model.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+/**
+ * Represents a search filter
+ */
+import { hasValue } from '../shared/empty.util';
+
+export class SearchFilter {
+  key: string;
+  values: string[];
+  operator: string;
+
+  constructor(key: string, values: string[], operator?: string) {
+    this.key = key;
+    this.values = values;
+    if (hasValue(operator)) {
+      this.operator = operator;
+    } else {
+      this.operator = 'query';
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search-filters/search-filter/search-facet-filter/search-facet-filter.component.ts b/src/app/+search-page/search-filters/search-filter/search-facet-filter/search-facet-filter.component.ts
index c87f96ffba..e0500b555e 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search-filters/search-filter/search-facet-filter/search-facet-filter.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search-filters/search-filter/search-facet-filter/search-facet-filter.component.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ import { SearchFilterConfig } from '../../../search-service/search-filter-config
 import { SearchService } from '../../../search-service/search.service';
 import { FILTER_CONFIG, SearchFilterService } from '../search-filter.service';
 import { SearchConfigurationService } from '../../../search-service/search-configuration.service';
+import { getSucceededRemoteData } from '../../../../core/shared/operators';
+import { map } from 'rxjs/operators';
 
 @Component({
   selector: 'ds-search-facet-filter',
@@ -88,13 +90,16 @@ export class SearchFacetFilterComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
       return { options, page }
     }).switchMap(({ options, page }) => {
       return this.searchService.getFacetValuesFor(this.filterConfig, page, options)
-        .first((RD) => !RD.isLoading).map((results) => {
-          return {
-            values: Observable.of(results),
-            page: page
-          };
-        }
-      );
+        .pipe(
+          getSucceededRemoteData(),
+          map((results) => {
+              return {
+                values: Observable.of(results),
+                page: page
+              };
+            }
+          )
+        )
     });
     let filterValues = [];
     this.subs.push(facetValues.subscribe((facetOutcome) => {
@@ -250,14 +255,15 @@ export class SearchFacetFilterComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
       this.searchConfigService.searchOptions.first().subscribe(
         (options) => {
           this.filterSearchResults = this.searchService.getFacetValuesFor(this.filterConfig, 1, options, data.toLowerCase())
-            .first()
-            .map(
-              (rd: RemoteData<PaginatedList<FacetValue>>) => {
-                return rd.payload.page.map((facet) => {
-                  return { displayValue: this.getDisplayValue(facet, data), value: facet.value }
-                })
-              }
-            );
+            .pipe(
+              getSucceededRemoteData(),
+              map(
+                (rd: RemoteData<PaginatedList<FacetValue>>) => {
+                  return rd.payload.page.map((facet) => {
+                    return { displayValue: this.getDisplayValue(facet, data), value: facet.value }
+                  })
+                }
+              ))
         }
       )
     } else {
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search-filters/search-filters.component.ts b/src/app/+search-page/search-filters/search-filters.component.ts
index 684f4d94fe..f4b63c332f 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search-filters/search-filters.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search-filters/search-filters.component.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
 import { SearchConfigurationService } from '../search-service/search-configuration.service';
 import { isNotEmpty } from '../../shared/empty.util';
 import { SearchFilterService } from './search-filter/search-filter.service';
+import { getSucceededRemoteData } from '../../core/shared/operators';
 
 @Component({
   selector: 'ds-search-filters',
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@ export class SearchFiltersComponent {
    * @param {SearchFilterService} filterService
    */
   constructor(private searchService: SearchService, private searchConfigService: SearchConfigurationService, private filterService: SearchFilterService) {
-    this.filters = searchService.getConfig().first((RD) => !RD.isLoading);
+    this.filters = searchService.getConfig().pipe(getSucceededRemoteData());
     this.clearParams = searchConfigService.getCurrentFrontendFilters().map((filters) => {
       Object.keys(filters).forEach((f) => filters[f] = null);
       return filters;
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search-options.model.spec.ts b/src/app/+search-page/search-options.model.spec.ts
index fc4c9278d8..a624664637 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search-options.model.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search-options.model.spec.ts
@@ -1,18 +1,17 @@
 import 'rxjs/add/observable/of';
 import { PaginatedSearchOptions } from './paginated-search-options.model';
 import { SearchOptions } from './search-options.model';
+import { SearchFilter } from './search-filter.model';
+import { DSpaceObjectType } from '../core/shared/dspace-object-type.model';
 
 describe('SearchOptions', () => {
   let options: PaginatedSearchOptions;
-  const filters = { 'f.test': ['value'], 'f.example': ['another value', 'second value'] };
+  const filters = [new SearchFilter('f.test', ['value']), new SearchFilter('f.example', ['another value', 'second value'])];
   const query = 'search query';
   const scope = '0fde1ecb-82cc-425a-b600-ac3576d76b47';
   const baseUrl = 'www.rest.com';
   beforeEach(() => {
-    options = new SearchOptions();
-    options.filters = filters;
-    options.query = query;
-    options.scope = scope;
+    options = new SearchOptions({ filters: filters, query: query, scope: scope , dsoType: DSpaceObjectType.ITEM});
   });
 
   describe('when toRestUrl is called', () => {
@@ -22,6 +21,7 @@ describe('SearchOptions', () => {
       expect(outcome).toEqual('www.rest.com?' +
         'query=search query&' +
         'scope=0fde1ecb-82cc-425a-b600-ac3576d76b47&' +
+        'dsoType=ITEM&' +
         'f.test=value,query&' +
         'f.example=another value,query&' +
         'f.example=second value,query'
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search-options.model.ts b/src/app/+search-page/search-options.model.ts
index 6ac606f5cc..123cf950f8 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search-options.model.ts
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search-options.model.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 import { isNotEmpty } from '../shared/empty.util';
 import { URLCombiner } from '../core/url-combiner/url-combiner';
 import 'core-js/library/fn/object/entries';
+import { SearchFilter } from './search-filter.model';
+import { DSpaceObjectType } from '../core/shared/dspace-object-type.model';
 
 /**
  * This model class represents all parameters needed to request information about a certain search request
@@ -8,7 +10,15 @@ import 'core-js/library/fn/object/entries';
 export class SearchOptions {
   scope?: string;
   query?: string;
-  filters?: any;
+  dsoType?: DSpaceObjectType;
+  filters?: SearchFilter[];
+
+  constructor(options: {scope?: string, query?: string, dsoType?: DSpaceObjectType, filters?: SearchFilter[]}) {
+      this.scope = options.scope;
+      this.query = options.query;
+      this.dsoType = options.dsoType;
+      this.filters = options.filters;
+  }
 
   /**
    * Method to generate the URL that can be used request information about a search request
@@ -21,13 +31,15 @@ export class SearchOptions {
     if (isNotEmpty(this.query)) {
       args.push(`query=${this.query}`);
     }
-
     if (isNotEmpty(this.scope)) {
       args.push(`scope=${this.scope}`);
     }
+    if (isNotEmpty(this.dsoType)) {
+      args.push(`dsoType=${this.dsoType}`);
+    }
     if (isNotEmpty(this.filters)) {
-      Object.entries(this.filters).forEach(([key, values]) => {
-        values.forEach((value) => args.push(`${key}=${value},query`));
+      this.filters.forEach((filter: SearchFilter) => {
+        filter.values.forEach((value) => args.push(`${filter.key}=${value},${filter.operator}`));
       });
     }
     if (isNotEmpty(args)) {
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.spec.ts b/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.spec.ts
index 57b8caaddc..3ca18ce4c5 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.spec.ts
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ describe('SearchPageComponent', () => {
   pagination.currentPage = 1;
   pagination.pageSize = 10;
   const sort: SortOptions = new SortOptions('score', SortDirection.DESC);
-  const mockResults = Observable.of(new RemoteData(false, false, true, null,['test', 'data']));
+  const mockResults = Observable.of(new RemoteData(false, false, true, null, ['test', 'data']));
   const searchServiceStub = jasmine.createSpyObj('SearchService', {
     search: mockResults,
     getSearchLink: '/search',
@@ -46,11 +46,11 @@ describe('SearchPageComponent', () => {
   const queryParam = 'test query';
   const scopeParam = '7669c72a-3f2a-451f-a3b9-9210e7a4c02f';
   const paginatedSearchOptions = {
-      query: queryParam,
-      scope: scopeParam,
-      pagination,
-      sort
-    };
+    query: queryParam,
+    scope: scopeParam,
+    pagination,
+    sort
+  };
   const activatedRouteStub = {
     queryParams: Observable.of({
       query: queryParam,
@@ -179,4 +179,3 @@ describe('SearchPageComponent', () => {
 
   });
 })
-;
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.ts b/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.ts
index 893395719a..da862ee7fc 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.ts
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import { Subscription } from 'rxjs/Subscription';
 import { hasValue } from '../shared/empty.util';
 import { BehaviorSubject } from 'rxjs/BehaviorSubject';
 import { SearchConfigurationService } from './search-service/search-configuration.service';
+import { getSucceededRemoteData } from '../core/shared/operators';
 
 /**
  * This component renders a simple item page.
@@ -78,7 +79,7 @@ export class SearchPageComponent implements OnInit {
   ngOnInit(): void {
     this.searchOptions$ = this.searchConfigService.paginatedSearchOptions;
     this.sub = this.searchOptions$
-      .switchMap((options) => this.service.search(options).filter((rd) => !rd.isLoading).first())
+      .switchMap((options) => this.service.search(options).pipe(getSucceededRemoteData()))
       .subscribe((results) => {
         this.resultsRD$.next(results);
       });
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search-service/search-configuration.service.spec.ts b/src/app/+search-page/search-service/search-configuration.service.spec.ts
index af1b19f06a..9f2e6d5045 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search-service/search-configuration.service.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search-service/search-configuration.service.spec.ts
@@ -4,26 +4,27 @@ import { PaginationComponentOptions } from '../../shared/pagination/pagination-c
 import { SortDirection, SortOptions } from '../../core/cache/models/sort-options.model';
 import { PaginatedSearchOptions } from '../paginated-search-options.model';
 import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
+import { SearchFilter } from '../search-filter.model';
 
 describe('SearchConfigurationService', () => {
   let service: SearchConfigurationService;
   const value1 = 'random value';
-  const value2 = 'another value';
   const prefixFilter = {
     'f.author': ['another value'],
     'f.date.min': ['2013'],
     'f.date.max': ['2018']
   };
-  const defaults = Object.assign(new PaginatedSearchOptions(), {
+  const defaults = new PaginatedSearchOptions({
     pagination: Object.assign(new PaginationComponentOptions(), { currentPage: 1, pageSize: 20 }),
     sort: new SortOptions('score', SortDirection.DESC),
     query: '',
     scope: ''
   });
-  const backendFilters = { 'f.author': ['another value'], 'f.date': ['[2013 TO 2018]'] };
+
+  const backendFilters = [new SearchFilter('f.author', ['another value']), new SearchFilter('f.date', ['[2013 TO 2018]'])];
 
   const spy = jasmine.createSpyObj('RouteService', {
-    getQueryParameterValue: Observable.of([value1, value2]),
+    getQueryParameterValue: Observable.of(value1),
     getQueryParamsWithPrefix: Observable.of(prefixFilter)
   });
 
@@ -51,6 +52,15 @@ describe('SearchConfigurationService', () => {
     });
   });
 
+  describe('when getCurrentDSOType is called', () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      service.getCurrentDSOType();
+    });
+    it('should call getQueryParameterValue on the routeService with parameter name \'dsoType\'', () => {
+      expect((service as any).routeService.getQueryParameterValue).toHaveBeenCalledWith('dsoType');
+    });
+  });
+
   describe('when getCurrentFrontendFilters is called', () => {
     beforeEach(() => {
       service.getCurrentFrontendFilters();
@@ -101,6 +111,7 @@ describe('SearchConfigurationService', () => {
       spyOn(service, 'getCurrentSort').and.callThrough();
       spyOn(service, 'getCurrentScope').and.callThrough();
       spyOn(service, 'getCurrentQuery').and.callThrough();
+      spyOn(service, 'getCurrentDSOType').and.callThrough();
       spyOn(service, 'getCurrentFilters').and.callThrough();
     });
 
@@ -113,6 +124,7 @@ describe('SearchConfigurationService', () => {
         expect(service.getCurrentSort).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
         expect(service.getCurrentScope).toHaveBeenCalled();
         expect(service.getCurrentQuery).toHaveBeenCalled();
+        expect(service.getCurrentDSOType).toHaveBeenCalled();
         expect(service.getCurrentFilters).toHaveBeenCalled();
       });
     });
@@ -126,6 +138,7 @@ describe('SearchConfigurationService', () => {
         expect(service.getCurrentSort).toHaveBeenCalled();
         expect(service.getCurrentScope).toHaveBeenCalled();
         expect(service.getCurrentQuery).toHaveBeenCalled();
+        expect(service.getCurrentDSOType).toHaveBeenCalled();
         expect(service.getCurrentFilters).toHaveBeenCalled();
       });
     });
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search-service/search-configuration.service.ts b/src/app/+search-page/search-service/search-configuration.service.ts
index 8ad0b684ad..b4c06e83f3 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search-service/search-configuration.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search-service/search-configuration.service.ts
@@ -6,10 +6,13 @@ import { ActivatedRoute, Params } from '@angular/router';
 import { PaginatedSearchOptions } from '../paginated-search-options.model';
 import { Injectable, OnDestroy } from '@angular/core';
 import { RouteService } from '../../shared/services/route.service';
-import { hasNoValue, isEmpty, isNotEmpty } from '../../shared/empty.util';
+import { hasNoValue, hasValue, isEmpty, isNotEmpty } from '../../shared/empty.util';
 import { RemoteData } from '../../core/data/remote-data';
 import { BehaviorSubject } from 'rxjs/BehaviorSubject';
 import { Subscription } from 'rxjs/Subscription';
+import { getSucceededRemoteData } from '../../core/shared/operators';
+import { SearchFilter } from '../search-filter.model';
+import { DSpaceObjectType } from '../../core/shared/dspace-object-type.model';
 
 /**
  * Service that performs all actions that have to do with the current search configuration
@@ -67,15 +70,17 @@ export class SearchConfigurationService implements OnDestroy {
    */
   constructor(private routeService: RouteService,
               private route: ActivatedRoute) {
-    this.defaults.first().subscribe((defRD) => {
-        const defs = defRD.payload;
-        this.paginatedSearchOptions = new BehaviorSubject<SearchOptions>(defs);
-        this.searchOptions = new BehaviorSubject<PaginatedSearchOptions>(defs);
+    this.defaults
+      .pipe(getSucceededRemoteData())
+      .subscribe((defRD) => {
+          const defs = defRD.payload;
+          this.paginatedSearchOptions = new BehaviorSubject<SearchOptions>(defs);
+          this.searchOptions = new BehaviorSubject<PaginatedSearchOptions>(defs);
 
-        this.subs.push(this.subscribeToSearchOptions(defs));
-        this.subs.push(this.subscribeToPaginatedSearchOptions(defs));
-      }
-    )
+          this.subs.push(this.subscribeToSearchOptions(defs));
+          this.subs.push(this.subscribeToPaginatedSearchOptions(defs));
+        }
+      )
   }
 
   /**
@@ -96,6 +101,15 @@ export class SearchConfigurationService implements OnDestroy {
     });
   }
 
+  /**
+   * @returns {Observable<number>} Emits the current DSpaceObject type as a number
+   */
+  getCurrentDSOType(): Observable<DSpaceObjectType> {
+    return this.routeService.getQueryParameterValue('dsoType')
+      .filter((type) => hasValue(type) && hasValue(DSpaceObjectType[type.toUpperCase()]))
+      .map((type) => DSpaceObjectType[type.toUpperCase()]);
+  }
+
   /**
    * @returns {Observable<string>} Emits the current pagination settings
    */
@@ -130,25 +144,25 @@ export class SearchConfigurationService implements OnDestroy {
   /**
    * @returns {Observable<Params>} Emits the current active filters with their values as they are sent to the backend
    */
-  getCurrentFilters(): Observable<Params> {
+  getCurrentFilters(): Observable<SearchFilter[]> {
     return this.routeService.getQueryParamsWithPrefix('f.').map((filterParams) => {
       if (isNotEmpty(filterParams)) {
-        const params = {};
+        const filters = [];
         Object.keys(filterParams).forEach((key) => {
           if (key.endsWith('.min') || key.endsWith('.max')) {
             const realKey = key.slice(0, -4);
-            if (isEmpty(params[realKey])) {
+            if (hasNoValue(filters.find((filter) => filter.key === realKey))) {
               const min = filterParams[realKey + '.min'] ? filterParams[realKey + '.min'][0] : '*';
               const max = filterParams[realKey + '.max'] ? filterParams[realKey + '.max'][0] : '*';
-              params[realKey] = ['[' + min + ' TO ' + max + ']'];
+              filters.push(new SearchFilter(realKey, ['[' + min + ' TO ' + max + ']']));
             }
           } else {
-            params[key] = filterParams[key];
+            filters.push(new SearchFilter(key, filterParams[key]));
           }
         });
-        return params;
+        return filters;
       }
-      return filterParams;
+      return [];
     });
   }
 
@@ -168,10 +182,11 @@ export class SearchConfigurationService implements OnDestroy {
     return Observable.merge(
       this.getScopePart(defaults.scope),
       this.getQueryPart(defaults.query),
+      this.getDSOTypePart(),
       this.getFiltersPart()
     ).subscribe((update) => {
       const currentValue: SearchOptions = this.searchOptions.getValue();
-      const updatedValue: SearchOptions = Object.assign(new SearchOptions(), currentValue, update);
+      const updatedValue: SearchOptions = Object.assign(currentValue, update);
       this.searchOptions.next(updatedValue);
     });
   }
@@ -187,10 +202,11 @@ export class SearchConfigurationService implements OnDestroy {
       this.getSortPart(defaults.sort),
       this.getScopePart(defaults.scope),
       this.getQueryPart(defaults.query),
+      this.getDSOTypePart(),
       this.getFiltersPart()
     ).subscribe((update) => {
       const currentValue: PaginatedSearchOptions = this.paginatedSearchOptions.getValue();
-      const updatedValue: PaginatedSearchOptions = Object.assign(new PaginatedSearchOptions(), currentValue, update);
+      const updatedValue: PaginatedSearchOptions = Object.assign(currentValue, update);
       this.paginatedSearchOptions.next(updatedValue);
     });
   }
@@ -200,7 +216,7 @@ export class SearchConfigurationService implements OnDestroy {
    */
   get defaults(): Observable<RemoteData<PaginatedSearchOptions>> {
     if (hasNoValue(this._defaults)) {
-      const options = Object.assign(new PaginatedSearchOptions(), {
+      const options = new PaginatedSearchOptions({
         pagination: this.defaultPagination,
         sort: this.defaultSort,
         scope: this.defaultScope,
@@ -238,6 +254,15 @@ export class SearchConfigurationService implements OnDestroy {
     });
   }
 
+  /**
+   * @returns {Observable<string>} Emits the current query string as a partial SearchOptions object
+   */
+  private getDSOTypePart(): Observable<any> {
+    return this.getCurrentDSOType().map((dsoType) => {
+      return { dsoType }
+    });
+  }
+
   /**
    * @returns {Observable<string>} Emits the current pagination settings as a partial SearchOptions object
    */
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search-service/search.service.spec.ts b/src/app/+search-page/search-service/search.service.spec.ts
index 488996a3da..85424a3c20 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search-service/search.service.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search-service/search.service.spec.ts
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ describe('SearchService', () => {
 
     describe('when search is called', () => {
       const endPoint = 'http://endpoint.com/test/test';
-      const searchOptions = new PaginatedSearchOptions();
+      const searchOptions = new PaginatedSearchOptions({});
       const queryResponse = Object.assign(new SearchQueryResponse(), { objects: [] });
       const response = new SearchSuccessResponse(queryResponse, '200');
       const responseEntry = Object.assign(new ResponseCacheEntry(), { response: response });
diff --git a/src/app/app.component.html b/src/app/app.component.html
index d806bb8323..95db61ab5a 100644
--- a/src/app/app.component.html
+++ b/src/app/app.component.html
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@
     </ds-notifications-board>
 
     <main class="main-content">
+      <div class="container" *ngIf="isLoading">
+        <ds-loading message="{{'loading.default' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
+      </div>
       <router-outlet></router-outlet>
     </main>
 
diff --git a/src/app/app.component.spec.ts b/src/app/app.component.spec.ts
index cbab798f1e..0e5af10bcc 100644
--- a/src/app/app.component.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/app.component.spec.ts
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ import { Angulartics2GoogleAnalytics } from 'angulartics2/ga';
 import { AngularticsMock } from './shared/mocks/mock-angulartics.service';
 import { AuthServiceMock } from './shared/mocks/mock-auth.service';
 import { AuthService } from './core/auth/auth.service';
+import { Router } from '@angular/router';
 
 let comp: AppComponent;
 let fixture: ComponentFixture<AppComponent>;
@@ -62,6 +63,7 @@ describe('App component', () => {
         { provide: MetadataService, useValue: new MockMetadataService() },
         { provide: Angulartics2GoogleAnalytics, useValue: new AngularticsMock() },
         { provide: AuthService, useValue: new AuthServiceMock() },
+        { provide: Router, useValue: {} },
         AppComponent
       ],
       schemas: [CUSTOM_ELEMENTS_SCHEMA]
diff --git a/src/app/app.component.ts b/src/app/app.component.ts
index 1c1a47cf12..092c61bdf9 100644
--- a/src/app/app.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/app.component.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,13 @@
-import { ChangeDetectionStrategy, Component, HostListener, Inject, OnInit, ViewEncapsulation } from '@angular/core';
+import {
+  AfterViewInit,
+  ChangeDetectionStrategy,
+  Component,
+  HostListener,
+  Inject,
+  OnInit,
+  ViewEncapsulation
+} from '@angular/core';
+import { NavigationCancel, NavigationEnd, NavigationStart, Router } from '@angular/router';
 
 import { Store } from '@ngrx/store';
 
@@ -21,7 +30,8 @@ import { Angulartics2GoogleAnalytics } from 'angulartics2/ga';
   changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush,
   encapsulation: ViewEncapsulation.None
 })
-export class AppComponent implements OnInit {
+export class AppComponent implements OnInit, AfterViewInit {
+  isLoading = true;
 
   constructor(
     @Inject(GLOBAL_CONFIG) public config: GlobalConfig,
@@ -30,7 +40,8 @@ export class AppComponent implements OnInit {
     private store: Store<HostWindowState>,
     private metadata: MetadataService,
     private angulartics2GoogleAnalytics: Angulartics2GoogleAnalytics,
-    private authService: AuthService
+    private authService: AuthService,
+    private router: Router
   ) {
     // this language will be used as a fallback when a translation isn't found in the current language
     translate.setDefaultLang('en');
@@ -58,6 +69,20 @@ export class AppComponent implements OnInit {
 
   }
 
+  ngAfterViewInit() {
+    this.router.events
+      .subscribe((event) => {
+        if (event instanceof NavigationStart) {
+          this.isLoading = true;
+        } else if (
+          event instanceof NavigationEnd ||
+          event instanceof NavigationCancel
+        ) {
+          this.isLoading = false;
+        }
+      });
+  }
+
   @HostListener('window:resize', ['$event'])
   private onResize(event): void {
     this.dispatchWindowSize(event.target.innerWidth, event.target.innerHeight);
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/dspace-object-type.model.ts b/src/app/core/shared/dspace-object-type.model.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7e2c1cb678
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/dspace-object-type.model.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+export enum DSpaceObjectType {
+  BUNDLE = 'BUNDLE',
+  BITSTREAM = 'BITSTREAM',
+  ITEM = 'ITEM',
+  COLLECTION = 'COLLECTION',
+  COMMUNITY = 'COMMUNITY',
+}
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/operators.ts b/src/app/core/shared/operators.ts
index 887210c296..07d64a83ab 100644
--- a/src/app/core/shared/operators.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/operators.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ import { RestRequest } from '../data/request.models';
 import { RequestEntry } from '../data/request.reducer';
 import { RequestService } from '../data/request.service';
 import { BrowseDefinition } from './browse-definition.model';
+import { DSpaceObject } from './dspace-object.model';
+import { PaginatedList } from '../data/paginated-list';
+import { SearchResult } from '../../+search-page/search-result.model';
 
 /**
  * This file contains custom RxJS operators that can be used in multiple places
@@ -51,6 +54,16 @@ export const getSucceededRemoteData = () =>
   <T>(source: Observable<RemoteData<T>>): Observable<RemoteData<T>> =>
     source.pipe(first((rd: RemoteData<T>) => rd.hasSucceeded));
 
+export const toDSpaceObjectListRD = () =>
+  <T extends DSpaceObject>(source: Observable<RemoteData<PaginatedList<SearchResult<T>>>>): Observable<RemoteData<PaginatedList<T>>> =>
+    source.pipe(
+      map((rd: RemoteData<PaginatedList<SearchResult<T>>>) => {
+        const dsoPage: T[] = rd.payload.page.map((searchResult: SearchResult<T>) => searchResult.dspaceObject);
+        const payload = Object.assign(rd.payload, { page: dsoPage }) as PaginatedList<T>;
+        return Object.assign(rd, {payload: payload});
+      })
+    );
+
 /**
  * Get the browse links from a definition by ID given an array of all definitions
  * @param {string} definitionID
diff --git a/src/app/thumbnail/thumbnail.component.html b/src/app/thumbnail/thumbnail.component.html
index 6221cbaba1..6855adc860 100644
--- a/src/app/thumbnail/thumbnail.component.html
+++ b/src/app/thumbnail/thumbnail.component.html
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 <div class="thumbnail">
-  <img *ngIf="thumbnail" [src]="thumbnail.content" (error)="errorHandler($event)"/>
-  <img *ngIf="!thumbnail" [src]="holderSource | dsSafeUrl"/>
+  <img *ngIf="thumbnail" [src]="thumbnail.content" (error)="errorHandler($event)" class="img-fluid"/>
+  <img *ngIf="!thumbnail" [src]="holderSource | dsSafeUrl" class="img-fluid"/>
 </div>