diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index 5ebcb69d6d..bc539060e7 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ language: node_js
 
 node_js:
   - "6"
-  - "7"
+  - "8"
 
 cache:
   yarn: true
diff --git a/e2e/search-page/search-page.po.ts b/e2e/search-page/search-page.po.ts
index b1a17ee150..5ea9a0019b 100644
--- a/e2e/search-page/search-page.po.ts
+++ b/e2e/search-page/search-page.po.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { browser, element, by } from 'protractor';
+import { browser, element, by, protractor } from 'protractor';
 import { promise } from 'selenium-webdriver';
 
 export class ProtractorPage {
@@ -17,7 +17,9 @@ export class ProtractorPage {
   }
 
   getCurrentScope(): promise.Promise<string> {
-    return element(by.tagName('select')).getAttribute('value');
+    const scopeSelect = element(by.tagName('select'));
+    browser.wait(protractor.ExpectedConditions.presenceOf(scopeSelect), 10000);
+    return scopeSelect.getAttribute('value');
   }
 
   getCurrentQuery(): promise.Promise<string> {
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 3959872257..2f74dd6cb8 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@
     "angular2-template-loader": "0.6.2",
     "autoprefixer": "7.1.5",
     "awesome-typescript-loader": "3.2.3",
-    "caniuse-lite": "1.0.30000697",
+    "caniuse-lite": "1.0.30000746",
     "codelyzer": "3.2.1",
     "compression-webpack-plugin": "1.0.1",
     "copy-webpack-plugin": "4.1.1",
diff --git a/resources/i18n/en.json b/resources/i18n/en.json
index bb02c8051c..832fbb95aa 100644
--- a/resources/i18n/en.json
+++ b/resources/i18n/en.json
@@ -118,9 +118,10 @@
     "community": "Loading community...",
     "collection": "Loading collection...",
     "sub-collections": "Loading sub-collections...",
-    "items": "Loading items...",
+    "recent-submissions": "Loading recent submissions...",
     "item": "Loading item...",
-    "objects": "Loading..."
+    "objects": "Loading...",
+    "search-results": "Loading search results..."
   },
   "error": {
     "default": "Error",
@@ -128,8 +129,9 @@
     "community": "Error fetching community",
     "collection": "Error fetching collection",
     "sub-collections": "Error fetching sub-collections",
-    "items": "Error fetching items",
+    "recent-submissions": "Error fetching recent submissions",
     "item": "Error fetching item",
-    "objects": "Error fetching objects"
+    "objects": "Error fetching objects",
+    "search-results": "Error fetching search results"
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.component.html b/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.component.html
index c79ec83cbc..fe5b2a1f16 100644
--- a/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.component.html
@@ -1,52 +1,56 @@
 <div class="container">
-  <div class="collection-page">
-    <div *ngIf="collectionData.hasSucceeded | async" @fadeInOut>
-      <div *ngIf="collectionData.payload | async; let collectionPayload">
+  <div class="collection-page"
+       *ngVar="(collectionRDObs | async) as collectionRD">
+    <div *ngIf="collectionRD?.hasSucceeded" @fadeInOut>
+      <div *ngIf="collectionRD?.payload as collection">
         <!-- Collection Name -->
         <ds-comcol-page-header
-          [name]="collectionPayload.name">
+          [name]="collection.name">
         </ds-comcol-page-header>
         <!-- Collection logo -->
-        <ds-comcol-page-logo *ngIf="logoData"
-          [logo]="logoData.payload | async"
-          [alternateText]="'Collection Logo'">
+        <ds-comcol-page-logo *ngIf="logoRDObs"
+                             [logo]="(logoRDObs | async)?.payload"
+                             [alternateText]="'Collection Logo'">
         </ds-comcol-page-logo>
         <!-- Introductionary text -->
         <ds-comcol-page-content
-          [content]="collectionPayload.introductoryText"
+          [content]="collection.introductoryText"
           [hasInnerHtml]="true">
         </ds-comcol-page-content>
         <!-- News -->
         <ds-comcol-page-content
-          [content]="collectionPayload.sidebarText"
+          [content]="collection.sidebarText"
           [hasInnerHtml]="true"
           [title]="'community.page.news'">
         </ds-comcol-page-content>
         <!-- Copyright -->
         <ds-comcol-page-content
-          [content]="collectionPayload.copyrightText"
+          [content]="collection.copyrightText"
           [hasInnerHtml]="true">
         </ds-comcol-page-content>
         <!-- Licence -->
         <ds-comcol-page-content
-          [content]="collectionPayload.license"
+          [content]="collection.license"
           [title]="'collection.page.license'">
         </ds-comcol-page-content>
       </div>
     </div>
-    <ds-error *ngIf="collectionData.hasFailed | async" message="{{'error.collection' | translate}}"></ds-error>
-    <ds-loading *ngIf="collectionData.isLoading | async" message="{{'loading.collection' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
+    <ds-error *ngIf="collectionRD?.hasFailed" message="{{'error.collection' | translate}}"></ds-error>
+    <ds-loading *ngIf="collectionRD?.isLoading" message="{{'loading.collection' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
     <br>
-    <div *ngIf="itemData.hasSucceeded | async" @fadeIn>
-      <h2>{{'collection.page.browse.recent.head' | translate}}</h2>
-      <ds-object-list
-        [config]="paginationConfig"
-        [sortConfig]="sortConfig"
-        [objects]="itemData"
-        [hideGear]="false">
-      </ds-object-list>
-    </div>
-    <ds-error *ngIf="itemData.hasFailed | async" message="{{'error.items' | translate}}"></ds-error>
-    <ds-loading *ngIf="itemData.isLoading | async" message="{{'loading.items' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
+    <ng-container *ngVar="(itemRDObs | async) as itemRD">
+      <div *ngIf="itemRD?.hasSucceeded" @fadeIn>
+        <h2>{{'collection.page.browse.recent.head' | translate}}</h2>
+        <ds-object-list
+          [config]="paginationConfig"
+          [sortConfig]="sortConfig"
+          [objects]="itemRD"
+          [hideGear]="false"
+          (paginationChange)="onPaginationChange($event)">
+        </ds-object-list>
+      </div>
+      <ds-error *ngIf="itemRD?.hasFailed" message="{{'error.recent-submissions' | translate}}"></ds-error>
+      <ds-loading *ngIf="!itemRD || itemRD.isLoading" message="{{'loading.recent-submissions' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
+    </ng-container>
   </div>
 </div>
diff --git a/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.component.ts b/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.component.ts
index 30d9c17fe3..853bd0d154 100644
--- a/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+collection-page/collection-page.component.ts
@@ -1,43 +1,37 @@
-import {
-  ChangeDetectionStrategy,
-  ChangeDetectorRef,
-  Component,
-  OnDestroy,
-  OnInit
-} from '@angular/core';
-import { ActivatedRoute, Params } from '@angular/router';
-
-import { PageInfo } from '../core/shared/page-info.model';
+import { ChangeDetectionStrategy, Component, OnDestroy, OnInit } from '@angular/core';
+import { ActivatedRoute } from '@angular/router';
 import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
-import { Subscription } from 'rxjs/Subscription';
 
-import { Collection } from '../core/shared/collection.model';
-import { Bitstream } from '../core/shared/bitstream.model';
-import { RemoteData } from '../core/data/remote-data';
+import { Subscription } from 'rxjs/Subscription';
+import { 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 { Item } from '../core/shared/item.model';
-import { SortOptions, SortDirection } from '../core/cache/models/sort-options.model';
-import { PaginationComponentOptions } from '../shared/pagination/pagination-component-options.model';
-import { hasValue, isNotEmpty, isUndefined } from '../shared/empty.util';
+import { RemoteData } from '../core/data/remote-data';
 
 import { MetadataService } from '../core/metadata/metadata.service';
+import { Bitstream } from '../core/shared/bitstream.model';
+
+import { Collection } from '../core/shared/collection.model';
+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';
 
 @Component({
   selector: 'ds-collection-page',
   styleUrls: ['./collection-page.component.scss'],
   templateUrl: './collection-page.component.html',
+  changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush,
   animations: [
     fadeIn,
     fadeInOut
   ]
 })
 export class CollectionPageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
-  collectionData: RemoteData<Collection>;
-  itemData: RemoteData<Item[]>;
-  logoData: RemoteData<Bitstream>;
+  collectionRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<Collection>>;
+  itemRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<Item[]>>;
+  logoRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<Bitstream>>;
   paginationConfig: PaginationComponentOptions;
   sortConfig: SortOptions;
   private subs: Subscription[] = [];
@@ -51,8 +45,7 @@ export class CollectionPageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
   ) {
     this.paginationConfig = new PaginationComponentOptions();
     this.paginationConfig.id = 'collection-page-pagination';
-    this.paginationConfig.pageSizeOptions = [4];
-    this.paginationConfig.pageSize = 4;
+    this.paginationConfig.pageSize = 5;
     this.paginationConfig.currentPage = 1;
     this.sortConfig = new SortOptions();
   }
@@ -67,9 +60,12 @@ export class CollectionPageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
         })
         .subscribe((params) => {
           this.collectionId = params.id;
-          this.collectionData = this.collectionDataService.findById(this.collectionId);
-          this.metadata.processRemoteData(this.collectionData);
-          this.subs.push(this.collectionData.payload.subscribe((collection) => this.logoData = collection.logo));
+          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;
@@ -91,7 +87,7 @@ export class CollectionPageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
   }
 
   updatePage(searchOptions) {
-    this.itemData = this.itemDataService.findAll({
+    this.itemRDObs = this.itemDataService.findAll({
       scopeID: this.collectionId,
       currentPage: searchOptions.pagination.currentPage,
       elementsPerPage: searchOptions.pagination.pageSize,
@@ -106,4 +102,17 @@ export class CollectionPageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
   isNotEmpty(object: any) {
     return isNotEmpty(object);
   }
+
+  onPaginationChange(event) {
+    this.updatePage({
+      pagination: {
+        currentPage: event.page,
+        pageSize: event.pageSize
+      },
+      sort: {
+        field: event.sortField,
+        direction: event.sortDirection
+      }
+    })
+  }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/+community-page/community-page.component.html b/src/app/+community-page/community-page.component.html
index 292510adaa..82939e7743 100644
--- a/src/app/+community-page/community-page.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+community-page/community-page.component.html
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
-<div class="container">
-  <div class="community-page" *ngIf="communityData.hasSucceeded | async" @fadeInOut>
-    <div *ngIf="communityData.payload | async; let communityPayload">
+<div class="container" *ngVar="(communityRDObs | 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="logoData"
-        [logo]="logoData.payload | async"
-        [alternateText]="'Community Logo'">
+      <ds-comcol-page-logo *ngIf="logoRDObs"
+                           [logo]="(logoRDObs | async)?.payload"
+                           [alternateText]="'Community Logo'">
       </ds-comcol-page-logo>
       <!-- Introductionary text -->
       <ds-comcol-page-content
@@ -27,6 +27,6 @@
       <ds-community-page-sub-collection-list></ds-community-page-sub-collection-list>
     </div>
   </div>
-  <ds-error *ngIf="communityData.hasFailed | async" message="{{'error.community' | translate}}"></ds-error>
-  <ds-loading *ngIf="communityData.isLoading | async" message="{{'loading.community' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
+  <ds-error *ngIf="communityRD?.hasFailed" message="{{'error.community' | translate}}"></ds-error>
+  <ds-loading *ngIf="communityRD?.isLoading" message="{{'loading.community' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
 </div>
diff --git a/src/app/+community-page/community-page.component.ts b/src/app/+community-page/community-page.component.ts
index 0cd94658be..605d488820 100644
--- a/src/app/+community-page/community-page.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+community-page/community-page.component.ts
@@ -1,27 +1,29 @@
-import { Component, OnDestroy, OnInit } from '@angular/core';
+import { ChangeDetectionStrategy, Component, OnDestroy, OnInit } from '@angular/core';
 import { ActivatedRoute, Params } from '@angular/router';
 
 import { Subscription } from 'rxjs/Subscription';
+import { CommunityDataService } from '../core/data/community-data.service';
+import { RemoteData } from '../core/data/remote-data';
+import { Bitstream } from '../core/shared/bitstream.model';
 
 import { Community } from '../core/shared/community.model';
-import { Bitstream } from '../core/shared/bitstream.model';
-import { RemoteData } from '../core/data/remote-data';
-import { CommunityDataService } from '../core/data/community-data.service';
-import { hasValue } from '../shared/empty.util';
 
 import { MetadataService } from '../core/metadata/metadata.service';
 
 import { fadeInOut } from '../shared/animations/fade';
+import { hasValue } from '../shared/empty.util';
+import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
 
 @Component({
   selector: 'ds-community-page',
   styleUrls: ['./community-page.component.scss'],
   templateUrl: './community-page.component.html',
+  changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush,
   animations: [fadeInOut]
 })
 export class CommunityPageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
-  communityData: RemoteData<Community>;
-  logoData: RemoteData<Bitstream>;
+  communityRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<Community>>;
+  logoRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<Bitstream>>;
   private subs: Subscription[] = [];
 
   constructor(
@@ -34,9 +36,12 @@ export class CommunityPageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
 
   ngOnInit(): void {
     this.route.params.subscribe((params: Params) => {
-      this.communityData = this.communityDataService.findById(params.id);
-      this.metadata.processRemoteData(this.communityData);
-      this.subs.push(this.communityData.payload.subscribe((community) => this.logoData = community.logo));
+      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));
     });
   }
 
diff --git a/src/app/+community-page/sub-collection-list/community-page-sub-collection-list.component.html b/src/app/+community-page/sub-collection-list/community-page-sub-collection-list.component.html
index 31dc2cd326..b04e93ff71 100644
--- a/src/app/+community-page/sub-collection-list/community-page-sub-collection-list.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+community-page/sub-collection-list/community-page-sub-collection-list.component.html
@@ -1,13 +1,15 @@
-<div *ngIf="subCollections.hasSucceeded | async" @fadeIn>
-  <h2>{{'community.sub-collection-list.head' | translate}}</h2>
-  <ul>
-    <li *ngFor="let collection of (subCollections.payload | async)">
-      <p>
-        <span class="lead"><a [routerLink]="['/collections', collection.id]">{{collection.name}}</a></span><br>
-        <span class="text-muted">{{collection.shortDescription}}</span>
-      </p>
-    </li>
-  </ul>
-</div>
-<ds-error *ngIf="subCollections.hasFailed | async" message="{{'error.sub-collections' | translate}}"></ds-error>
-<ds-loading *ngIf="subCollections.isLoading | async" message="{{'loading.sub-collections' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
+<ng-container *ngVar="(subCollectionsRDObs | async) as subCollectionsRD">
+  <div *ngIf="subCollectionsRD?.hasSucceeded" @fadeIn>
+    <h2>{{'community.sub-collection-list.head' | translate}}</h2>
+    <ul>
+      <li *ngFor="let collection of subCollectionsRD?.payload">
+        <p>
+          <span class="lead"><a [routerLink]="['/collections', collection.id]">{{collection.name}}</a></span><br>
+          <span class="text-muted">{{collection.shortDescription}}</span>
+        </p>
+      </li>
+    </ul>
+  </div>
+  <ds-error *ngIf="subCollectionsRD?.hasFailed" message="{{'error.sub-collections' | translate}}"></ds-error>
+  <ds-loading *ngIf="subCollectionsRD?.isLoading" message="{{'loading.sub-collections' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
+</ng-container>
diff --git a/src/app/+community-page/sub-collection-list/community-page-sub-collection-list.component.ts b/src/app/+community-page/sub-collection-list/community-page-sub-collection-list.component.ts
index 618890a60c..8edc275437 100644
--- a/src/app/+community-page/sub-collection-list/community-page-sub-collection-list.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+community-page/sub-collection-list/community-page-sub-collection-list.component.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { RemoteData } from '../../core/data/remote-data';
 import { Collection } from '../../core/shared/collection.model';
 
 import { fadeIn } from '../../shared/animations/fade';
+import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
 
 @Component({
   selector: 'ds-community-page-sub-collection-list',
@@ -13,13 +14,13 @@ import { fadeIn } from '../../shared/animations/fade';
   animations:[fadeIn]
 })
 export class CommunityPageSubCollectionListComponent implements OnInit {
-  subCollections: RemoteData<Collection[]>;
+  subCollectionsRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<Collection[]>>;
 
   constructor(private cds: CollectionDataService) {
 
   }
 
   ngOnInit(): void {
-    this.subCollections = this.cds.findAll();
+    this.subCollectionsRDObs = this.cds.findAll();
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/+home-page/home-page.module.ts b/src/app/+home-page/home-page.module.ts
index 45c460c89c..0a513260cd 100644
--- a/src/app/+home-page/home-page.module.ts
+++ b/src/app/+home-page/home-page.module.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
-import { NgModule } from '@angular/core';
 import { CommonModule } from '@angular/common';
+import { NgModule } from '@angular/core';
 import { SharedModule } from '../shared/shared.module';
+import { HomeNewsComponent } from './home-news/home-news.component';
+import { HomePageRoutingModule } from './home-page-routing.module';
 
 import { HomePageComponent } from './home-page.component';
-import { HomePageRoutingModule } from './home-page-routing.module';
 import { TopLevelCommunityListComponent } from './top-level-community-list/top-level-community-list.component';
-import { HomeNewsComponent } from './home-news/home-news.component';
 
 @NgModule({
   imports: [
diff --git a/src/app/+home-page/top-level-community-list/top-level-community-list.component.html b/src/app/+home-page/top-level-community-list/top-level-community-list.component.html
index a5bd6c5c5d..a34951afe0 100644
--- a/src/app/+home-page/top-level-community-list/top-level-community-list.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+home-page/top-level-community-list/top-level-community-list.component.html
@@ -1,13 +1,15 @@
-<div *ngIf="topLevelCommunities.hasSucceeded | async" @fadeInOut>
-  <h2>{{'home.top-level-communities.head' | translate}}</h2>
-  <p class="lead">{{'home.top-level-communities.help' | translate}}</p>
-  <ds-object-list
-    [config]="config"
-    [sortConfig]="sortConfig"
-    [objects]="topLevelCommunities"
-    [hideGear]="true"
-    (paginationChange)="updatePage($event)">
-  </ds-object-list>
-</div>
-<ds-error *ngIf="topLevelCommunities.hasFailed | async" message="{{'error.top-level-communites' | translate}}"></ds-error>
-<ds-loading *ngIf="topLevelCommunities.isLoading | async" message="{{'loading.top-level-communities' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
\ No newline at end of file
+<ng-container *ngVar="(communitiesRDObs | async) as communitiesRD">
+  <div *ngIf="communitiesRD?.hasSucceeded" @fadeInOut>
+    <h2>{{'home.top-level-communities.head' | translate}}</h2>
+    <p class="lead">{{'home.top-level-communities.help' | translate}}</p>
+    <ds-object-list
+      [config]="config"
+      [sortConfig]="sortConfig"
+      [objects]="communitiesRD"
+      [hideGear]="true"
+      (paginationChange)="updatePage($event)">
+    </ds-object-list>
+  </div>
+  <ds-error *ngIf="communitiesRD?.hasFailed" message="{{'error.top-level-communites' | translate}}"></ds-error>
+  <ds-loading *ngIf="communitiesRD?.isLoading" message="{{'loading.top-level-communities' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
+</ng-container>
diff --git a/src/app/+home-page/top-level-community-list/top-level-community-list.component.ts b/src/app/+home-page/top-level-community-list/top-level-community-list.component.ts
index 626d3cb6d3..b364985fc1 100644
--- a/src/app/+home-page/top-level-community-list/top-level-community-list.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+home-page/top-level-community-list/top-level-community-list.component.ts
@@ -1,30 +1,30 @@
-import { Component, OnInit, ChangeDetectorRef, ChangeDetectionStrategy } from '@angular/core';
+import { ChangeDetectionStrategy, Component } from '@angular/core';
+import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
+import { SortOptions } from '../../core/cache/models/sort-options.model';
+import { CommunityDataService } from '../../core/data/community-data.service';
 
 import { RemoteData } from '../../core/data/remote-data';
-import { CommunityDataService } from '../../core/data/community-data.service';
 import { Community } from '../../core/shared/community.model';
-import { PaginationComponentOptions } from '../../shared/pagination/pagination-component-options.model';
-import { SortOptions, SortDirection } from '../../core/cache/models/sort-options.model';
-import { ActivatedRoute } from '@angular/router';
 
 import { fadeInOut } from '../../shared/animations/fade';
+import { PaginationComponentOptions } from '../../shared/pagination/pagination-component-options.model';
 
 @Component({
   selector: 'ds-top-level-community-list',
   styleUrls: ['./top-level-community-list.component.scss'],
   templateUrl: './top-level-community-list.component.html',
+  changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush,
   animations: [fadeInOut]
 })
 export class TopLevelCommunityListComponent {
-  topLevelCommunities: RemoteData<Community[]>;
+  communitiesRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<Community[]>>;
   config: PaginationComponentOptions;
   sortConfig: SortOptions;
 
   constructor(private cds: CommunityDataService) {
     this.config = new PaginationComponentOptions();
     this.config.id = 'top-level-pagination';
-    this.config.pageSizeOptions = [4];
-    this.config.pageSize = 4;
+    this.config.pageSize = 5;
     this.config.currentPage = 1;
     this.sortConfig = new SortOptions();
 
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ export class TopLevelCommunityListComponent {
   }
 
   updatePage(data) {
-    this.topLevelCommunities = this.cds.findAll({
+    this.communitiesRDObs = this.cds.findAll({
       currentPage: data.page,
       elementsPerPage: data.pageSize,
       sort: { field: data.sortField, direction: data.sortDirection }
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/field-components/collections/collections.component.ts b/src/app/+item-page/field-components/collections/collections.component.ts
index c3db3135e3..8b7b5d7f58 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/field-components/collections/collections.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/field-components/collections/collections.component.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
 import { Collection } from '../../../core/shared/collection.model';
 import { Item } from '../../../core/shared/item.model';
 import { RemoteDataBuildService } from '../../../core/cache/builders/remote-data-build.service';
+import { RemoteData } from '../../../core/data/remote-data';
 
 /**
  * This component renders the parent collections section of the item
@@ -34,7 +35,7 @@ export class CollectionsComponent implements OnInit {
     // TODO: this should use parents, but the collections
     // for an Item aren't returned by the REST API yet,
     // only the owning collection
-    this.collections = this.item.owner.payload.map((c) => [c]);
+    this.collections = this.item.owner.map((rd: RemoteData<Collection>) => [rd.payload]);
   }
 
 }
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/full/field-components/file-section/full-file-section.component.html b/src/app/+item-page/full/field-components/file-section/full-file-section.component.html
index 358b658a76..d5a7febeb9 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/full/field-components/file-section/full-file-section.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/full/field-components/file-section/full-file-section.component.html
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <ds-metadata-field-wrapper [label]="label | translate">
-    <div class="file-section row" *ngFor="let file of (files | async); let last=last;">
+    <div class="file-section row" *ngFor="let file of (bitstreamsObs | async); let last=last;">
         <div class="col-3">
             <ds-thumbnail [thumbnail]="thumbnails.get(file.id) | async"></ds-thumbnail>
         </div>
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 
 
                 <dt class="col-md-4">{{"item.page.filesection.format" | translate}}</dt>
-                <dd class="col-md-8">{{(file.mimetype)}}</dd>
+                <dd class="col-md-8">{{(file.format | async)?.payload?.description}}</dd>
 
 
                 <dt class="col-md-4">{{"item.page.filesection.description" | translate}}</dt>
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/full/field-components/file-section/full-file-section.component.ts b/src/app/+item-page/full/field-components/file-section/full-file-section.component.ts
index 262773b1be..331e979c8f 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/full/field-components/file-section/full-file-section.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/full/field-components/file-section/full-file-section.component.ts
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ export class FullFileSectionComponent extends FileSectionComponent implements On
 
   label: string;
 
-  files: Observable<Bitstream[]>;
+  bitstreamsObs: Observable<Bitstream[]>;
 
   thumbnails: Map<string, Observable<Bitstream>> = new Map();
 
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ export class FullFileSectionComponent extends FileSectionComponent implements On
   initialize(): void {
     const originals = this.item.getFiles();
     const licenses = this.item.getBitstreamsByBundleName('LICENSE');
-    this.files = Observable.combineLatest(originals, licenses, (o, l) => [...o, ...l]);
-    this.files.subscribe(
+    this.bitstreamsObs = Observable.combineLatest(originals, licenses, (o, l) => [...o, ...l]);
+    this.bitstreamsObs.subscribe(
       (files) =>
         files.forEach(
           (original) => {
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 307a12a40b..4c44b72602 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/full/full-item-page.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/full/full-item-page.component.html
@@ -1,25 +1,25 @@
-<div class="container">
-  <div class="item-page" *ngIf="item.hasSucceeded | async" @fadeInOut>
-    <div *ngIf="item.payload | async; let itemPayload">
-      <ds-item-page-title-field [item]="itemPayload"></ds-item-page-title-field>
+<div class="container" *ngVar="(itemRDObs | 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/' + itemPayload.id]">
+        <a class="btn btn-outline-primary col-4" [routerLink]="['/items/' + item.id]">
           {{"item.page.link.simple" | translate}}
         </a>
       </div>
       <table class="table table-responsive table-striped">
         <tbody>
-          <tr *ngFor="let metadatum of (metadata | async)">
-            <td>{{metadatum.key}}</td>
-            <td>{{metadatum.value}}</td>
-            <td>{{metadatum.language}}</td>
-          </tr>
+        <tr *ngFor="let metadatum of (metadataObs | async)">
+          <td>{{metadatum.key}}</td>
+          <td>{{metadatum.value}}</td>
+          <td>{{metadatum.language}}</td>
+        </tr>
         </tbody>
       </table>
-      <ds-item-page-full-file-section [item]="itemPayload"></ds-item-page-full-file-section>
-      <ds-item-page-collections [item]="itemPayload"></ds-item-page-collections>
+      <ds-item-page-full-file-section [item]="item"></ds-item-page-full-file-section>
+      <ds-item-page-collections [item]="item"></ds-item-page-collections>
     </div>
   </div>
-  <ds-error *ngIf="item.hasFailed | async" message="{{'error.item' | translate}}"></ds-error>
-  <ds-loading *ngIf="item.isLoading | async" message="{{'loading.item' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
+  <ds-error *ngIf="itemRD?.hasFailed" message="{{'error.item' | translate}}"></ds-error>
+  <ds-loading *ngIf="itemRD?.isLoading" message="{{'loading.item' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
 </div>
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 270cf1fcae..aa1fc4cc78 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/full/full-item-page.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/full/full-item-page.component.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { Component, OnInit } from '@angular/core';
+import { ChangeDetectionStrategy, Component, OnInit } from '@angular/core';
 import { ActivatedRoute } from '@angular/router';
 
 import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import { Item } from '../../core/shared/item.model';
 import { MetadataService } from '../../core/metadata/metadata.service';
 
 import { fadeInOut } from '../../shared/animations/fade';
+import { hasValue } from '../../shared/empty.util';
 
 /**
  * This component renders a simple item page.
@@ -24,13 +25,14 @@ import { fadeInOut } from '../../shared/animations/fade';
   selector: 'ds-full-item-page',
   styleUrls: ['./full-item-page.component.scss'],
   templateUrl: './full-item-page.component.html',
+  changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush,
   animations: [fadeInOut]
 })
 export class FullItemPageComponent extends ItemPageComponent implements OnInit {
 
-  item: RemoteData<Item>;
+  itemRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<Item>>;
 
-  metadata: Observable<Metadatum[]>;
+  metadataObs: Observable<Metadatum[]>;
 
   constructor(route: ActivatedRoute, items: ItemDataService, metadataService: MetadataService) {
     super(route, items, metadataService);
@@ -43,7 +45,10 @@ export class FullItemPageComponent extends ItemPageComponent implements OnInit {
 
   initialize(params) {
     super.initialize(params);
-    this.metadata = this.item.payload.map((i) => i.metadata);
+    this.metadataObs = this.itemRDObs
+      .map((rd: RemoteData<Item>) => rd.payload)
+      .filter((item: Item) => hasValue(item))
+      .map((item: Item) => item.metadata);
   }
 
 }
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/simple/field-components/file-section/file-section.component.html b/src/app/+item-page/simple/field-components/file-section/file-section.component.html
index 0a56242075..7063bac0be 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/simple/field-components/file-section/file-section.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/simple/field-components/file-section/file-section.component.html
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
-<ds-metadata-field-wrapper *ngIf="(files | async)?.length > 0" [label]="label | translate">
+<ng-container *ngVar="(bitstreamsObs | async) as bitstreams">
+  <ds-metadata-field-wrapper *ngIf="bitstreams?.length > 0" [label]="label | translate">
     <div class="file-section">
-        <a *ngFor="let file of (files | async); let last=last;" [href]="file?.content" [download]="file?.name">
-            <span>{{file?.name}}</span>
-            <span>({{(file?.sizeBytes) | dsFileSize }})</span>
-            <span *ngIf="!last" innerHTML="{{separator}}"></span>
-        </a>
+      <a *ngFor="let file of bitstreams; let last=last;" [href]="file?.content" [download]="file?.name">
+        <span>{{file?.name}}</span>
+        <span>({{(file?.sizeBytes) | dsFileSize }})</span>
+        <span *ngIf="!last" innerHTML="{{separator}}"></span>
+      </a>
     </div>
-</ds-metadata-field-wrapper>
+  </ds-metadata-field-wrapper>
+</ng-container>
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/simple/field-components/file-section/file-section.component.ts b/src/app/+item-page/simple/field-components/file-section/file-section.component.ts
index a44d6c0d1e..b42e73940f 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/simple/field-components/file-section/file-section.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/simple/field-components/file-section/file-section.component.ts
@@ -20,14 +20,14 @@ export class FileSectionComponent implements OnInit {
 
   separator = '<br/>';
 
-  files: Observable<Bitstream[]>;
+  bitstreamsObs: Observable<Bitstream[]>;
 
   ngOnInit(): void {
     this.initialize();
   }
 
   initialize(): void {
-    this.files = this.item.getFiles();
+    this.bitstreamsObs = this.item.getFiles();
   }
 
 }
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/simple/item-page.component.html b/src/app/+item-page/simple/item-page.component.html
index 91ddeefa64..5f938364e2 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/simple/item-page.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/simple/item-page.component.html
@@ -1,22 +1,22 @@
-<div class="container">
-  <div class="item-page" *ngIf="item.hasSucceeded | async" @fadeInOut>
-    <div *ngIf="item.payload | async; let itemPayload">
-      <ds-item-page-title-field [item]="itemPayload"></ds-item-page-title-field>
+<div class="container" *ngVar="(itemRDObs | 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]="thumbnail | async"></ds-thumbnail>
+            <ds-thumbnail [thumbnail]="thumbnailObs | async"></ds-thumbnail>
           </ds-metadata-field-wrapper>
-          <ds-item-page-file-section [item]="itemPayload"></ds-item-page-file-section>
-          <ds-item-page-date-field [item]="itemPayload"></ds-item-page-date-field>
-          <ds-item-page-author-field [item]="itemPayload"></ds-item-page-author-field>
+          <ds-item-page-file-section [item]="item"></ds-item-page-file-section>
+          <ds-item-page-date-field [item]="item"></ds-item-page-date-field>
+          <ds-item-page-author-field [item]="item"></ds-item-page-author-field>
         </div>
         <div class="col-xs-12 col-md-6">
-          <ds-item-page-abstract-field [item]="itemPayload"></ds-item-page-abstract-field>
-          <ds-item-page-uri-field [item]="itemPayload"></ds-item-page-uri-field>
-          <ds-item-page-collections [item]="itemPayload"></ds-item-page-collections>
+          <ds-item-page-abstract-field [item]="item"></ds-item-page-abstract-field>
+          <ds-item-page-uri-field [item]="item"></ds-item-page-uri-field>
+          <ds-item-page-collections [item]="item"></ds-item-page-collections>
           <div>
-            <a class="btn btn-outline-primary" [routerLink]="['/items/' + itemPayload.id + '/full']">
+            <a class="btn btn-outline-primary" [routerLink]="['/items/' + item.id + '/full']">
               {{"item.page.link.full" | translate}}
             </a>
           </div>
@@ -24,6 +24,6 @@
       </div>
     </div>
   </div>
-  <ds-error *ngIf="item.hasFailed | async" message="{{'error.item' | translate}}"></ds-error>
-  <ds-loading *ngIf="item.isLoading | async" message="{{'loading.item' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
+  <ds-error *ngIf="itemRD?.hasFailed" message="{{'error.item' | translate}}"></ds-error>
+  <ds-loading *ngIf="itemRD?.isLoading" message="{{'loading.item' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
 </div>
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/simple/item-page.component.ts b/src/app/+item-page/simple/item-page.component.ts
index ce9283e144..58a056a5dd 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/simple/item-page.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/simple/item-page.component.ts
@@ -1,16 +1,17 @@
-import { Component, OnInit } from '@angular/core';
+import { ChangeDetectionStrategy, Component, OnInit } from '@angular/core';
 import { ActivatedRoute } from '@angular/router';
 
 import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
-
-import { Item } from '../../core/shared/item.model';
 import { ItemDataService } from '../../core/data/item-data.service';
 import { RemoteData } from '../../core/data/remote-data';
 import { Bitstream } from '../../core/shared/bitstream.model';
 
+import { Item } from '../../core/shared/item.model';
+
 import { MetadataService } from '../../core/metadata/metadata.service';
 
 import { fadeInOut } from '../../shared/animations/fade';
+import { hasValue } from '../../shared/empty.util';
 
 /**
  * This component renders a simple item page.
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@ import { fadeInOut } from '../../shared/animations/fade';
   selector: 'ds-item-page',
   styleUrls: ['./item-page.component.scss'],
   templateUrl: './item-page.component.html',
+  changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush,
   animations: [fadeInOut]
 })
 export class ItemPageComponent implements OnInit {
@@ -29,9 +31,9 @@ export class ItemPageComponent implements OnInit {
 
   private sub: any;
 
-  item: RemoteData<Item>;
+  itemRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<Item>>;
 
-  thumbnail: Observable<Bitstream>;
+  thumbnailObs: Observable<Bitstream>;
 
   constructor(
     private route: ActivatedRoute,
@@ -49,9 +51,12 @@ export class ItemPageComponent implements OnInit {
 
   initialize(params) {
     this.id = +params.id;
-    this.item = this.items.findById(params.id);
-    this.metadataService.processRemoteData(this.item);
-    this.thumbnail = this.item.payload.flatMap((i) => i.getThumbnail());
+    this.itemRDObs = this.items.findById(params.id);
+    this.metadataService.processRemoteData(this.itemRDObs);
+    this.thumbnailObs = this.itemRDObs
+      .map((rd: RemoteData<Item>) => rd.payload)
+      .filter((item: Item) => hasValue(item))
+      .flatMap((item: Item) => item.getThumbnail());
   }
 
 }
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.html b/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.html
index 881efbf0c1..56c1b51fed 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.html
@@ -6,9 +6,9 @@
         <div class="col-12 col-sm-9">
             <ds-search-form id="search-form"
                             [query]="query"
-                            [scope]="scopeObject?.payload | async"
+                            [scope]="(scopeObjectRDObs | async)?.payload"
                             [currentParams]="currentParams"
-                            [scopes]="scopeList?.payload">
+                            [scopes]="(scopeListRDObs | async)?.payload">
             </ds-search-form>
             <div class="row">
                 <div id="search-body"
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
                                 | translate}}
                             </button>
                         </div>
-                        <ds-search-results [searchResults]="results"
+                        <ds-search-results [searchResults]="resultsRDObs | async"
                                            [searchConfig]="searchOptions"></ds-search-results>
                     </div>
                 </div>
@@ -36,4 +36,3 @@
         </div>
     </div>
 </div>
-
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.spec.ts b/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.spec.ts
index 536d8a5f7d..f1b86e3270 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.spec.ts
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ describe('SearchPageComponent', () => {
     /* tslint:enable:no-empty */
     select: Observable.of(true)
   });
-  const mockResults = ['test', 'data'];
+  const mockResults = Observable.of(['test', 'data']);
   const searchServiceStub = {
     search: () => mockResults
   };
@@ -48,8 +48,8 @@ describe('SearchPageComponent', () => {
 
   const mockCommunityList = [];
   const communityDataServiceStub = {
-    findAll: () => mockCommunityList,
-    findById: () => new Community()
+    findAll: () => Observable.of(mockCommunityList),
+    findById: () => Observable.of(new Community())
   };
 
   class RouterStub {
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ describe('SearchPageComponent', () => {
 
       (comp as any).updateSearchResults({});
 
-      expect(comp.results as any).toBe(mockResults);
+      expect(comp.resultsRDObs as any).toBe(mockResults);
     });
 
   });
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.ts b/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.ts
index c4b272937c..04d8f5ce3d 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search-page.component.ts
@@ -1,15 +1,16 @@
-import { Component, OnInit, OnDestroy } from '@angular/core';
-import { SearchService } from './search-service/search.service';
+import { ChangeDetectionStrategy, Component, OnDestroy, OnInit } from '@angular/core';
 import { ActivatedRoute } from '@angular/router';
-import { RemoteData } from '../core/data/remote-data';
-import { SearchResult } from './search-result.model';
-import { DSpaceObject } from '../core/shared/dspace-object.model';
+import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
 import { SortOptions } from '../core/cache/models/sort-options.model';
+import { CommunityDataService } from '../core/data/community-data.service';
+import { RemoteData } from '../core/data/remote-data';
+import { Community } from '../core/shared/community.model';
+import { DSpaceObject } from '../core/shared/dspace-object.model';
+import { isNotEmpty } from '../shared/empty.util';
 import { PaginationComponentOptions } from '../shared/pagination/pagination-component-options.model';
 import { SearchOptions } from './search-options.model';
-import { CommunityDataService } from '../core/data/community-data.service';
-import { isNotEmpty } from '../shared/empty.util';
-import { Community } from '../core/shared/community.model';
+import { SearchResult } from './search-result.model';
+import { SearchService } from './search-service/search.service';
 import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
 import { pushInOut } from '../shared/animations/push';
 import { HostWindowService } from '../shared/host-window.service';
@@ -25,6 +26,7 @@ import { SearchSidebarService } from './search-sidebar/search-sidebar.service';
   selector: 'ds-search-page',
   styleUrls: ['./search-page.component.scss'],
   templateUrl: './search-page.component.html',
+  changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush,
   animations: [pushInOut]
 })
 export class SearchPageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
@@ -33,11 +35,11 @@ export class SearchPageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
   private scope: string;
 
   query: string;
-  scopeObject: RemoteData<DSpaceObject>;
-  results: RemoteData<Array<SearchResult<DSpaceObject>>>;
+  scopeObjectRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<DSpaceObject>>;
+  resultsRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<Array<SearchResult<DSpaceObject>>>>;
   currentParams = {};
   searchOptions: SearchOptions;
-  scopeList: RemoteData<Community[]>;
+  scopeListRDObs: Observable<RemoteData<Community[]>>;
   isMobileView: Observable<boolean>;
 
   constructor(private service: SearchService,
@@ -46,7 +48,7 @@ export class SearchPageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
               private sidebarService: SearchSidebarService,
               private windowService: HostWindowService) {
     this.isMobileView = this.windowService.isXs();
-    this.scopeList = communityService.findAll();
+    this.scopeListRDObs = communityService.findAll();
     // Initial pagination config
     const pagination: PaginationComponentOptions = new PaginationComponentOptions();
     pagination.id = 'search-results-pagination';
@@ -80,9 +82,9 @@ export class SearchPageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
             sort: sort
           });
           if (isNotEmpty(this.scope)) {
-            this.scopeObject = this.communityService.findById(this.scope);
+            this.scopeObjectRDObs = this.communityService.findById(this.scope);
           } else {
-            this.scopeObject = undefined;
+            this.scopeObjectRDObs = Observable.of(undefined);
           }
         }
       );
@@ -90,7 +92,7 @@ export class SearchPageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
 
   private updateSearchResults(searchOptions) {
     // Resolve search results
-    this.results = this.service.search(this.query, this.scope, searchOptions);
+    this.resultsRDObs = this.service.search(this.query, this.scope, searchOptions);
   }
 
   ngOnDestroy() {
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search-results/search-results.component.html b/src/app/+search-page/search-results/search-results.component.html
index 233f22d850..20b2cb8699 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search-results/search-results.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search-results/search-results.component.html
@@ -1,7 +1,11 @@
-<h2 *ngIf="(searchResults.payload | async)?.length > 0">{{ 'search.results.head' | translate }}</h2>
-<ds-object-list
-  [config]="searchConfig.pagination"
-  [sortConfig]="searchConfig.sort"
-  [objects]="searchResults"
-  [hideGear]="false">
-</ds-object-list>
\ No newline at end of file
+<div *ngIf="searchResults?.hasSucceeded" @fadeIn>
+  <h2 *ngIf="searchResults?.payload?.length > 0">{{ 'search.results.head' | translate }}</h2>
+  <ds-object-list
+    [config]="searchConfig.pagination"
+    [sortConfig]="searchConfig.sort"
+    [objects]="searchResults"
+    [hideGear]="false">
+  </ds-object-list>
+</div>
+<ds-loading *ngIf="searchResults?.isLoading" message="{{'loading.search-results' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
+<ds-error *ngIf="searchResults?.hasFailed" message="{{'error.search-results' | translate}}"></ds-error>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search-results/search-results.component.ts b/src/app/+search-page/search-results/search-results.component.ts
index c645489694..4733699f95 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search-results/search-results.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search-results/search-results.component.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 import { Component, Input } from '@angular/core';
 import { RemoteData } from '../../core/data/remote-data';
-import { SearchResult } from '../search-result.model';
 import { DSpaceObject } from '../../core/shared/dspace-object.model';
+import { fadeIn, fadeInOut } from '../../shared/animations/fade';
 import { SearchOptions } from '../search-options.model';
+import { SearchResult } from '../search-result.model';
 
 /**
  * This component renders a simple item page.
@@ -12,6 +13,10 @@ import { SearchOptions } from '../search-options.model';
 @Component({
   selector: 'ds-search-results',
   templateUrl: './search-results.component.html',
+  animations: [
+    fadeIn,
+    fadeInOut
+  ]
 })
 export class SearchResultsComponent {
   @Input() searchResults: RemoteData<Array<SearchResult<DSpaceObject>>>;
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search-service/search.service.ts b/src/app/+search-page/search-service/search.service.ts
index 77e7c55185..2d34b3a98f 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search-service/search.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search-service/search.service.ts
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ export class SearchService implements OnDestroy {
 
   }
 
-  search(query: string, scopeId?: string, searchOptions?: SearchOptions): RemoteData<Array<SearchResult<DSpaceObject>>> {
+  search(query: string, scopeId?: string, searchOptions?: SearchOptions): Observable<RemoteData<Array<SearchResult<DSpaceObject>>>> {
     let self = `https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/search?query=${query}`;
     if (hasValue(scopeId)) {
       self += `&scope=${scopeId}`;
@@ -104,8 +104,8 @@ export class SearchService implements OnDestroy {
       self += `&sortField=${searchOptions.sort.field}`;
     }
 
-    const errorMessage = Observable.of(undefined);
-    const statusCode = Observable.of('200');
+    const errorMessage = undefined;
+    const statusCode = '200';
     const returningPageInfo = new PageInfo();
 
     if (isNotEmpty(searchOptions)) {
@@ -116,19 +116,20 @@ export class SearchService implements OnDestroy {
       returningPageInfo.currentPage = 1;
     }
 
-    const itemsRD = this.itemDataService.findAll({
+    const itemsObs = this.itemDataService.findAll({
       scopeID: scopeId,
       currentPage: returningPageInfo.currentPage,
       elementsPerPage: returningPageInfo.elementsPerPage
     });
 
-    const pageInfo = itemsRD.pageInfo.map((info: PageInfo) => {
-      const totalElements = info.totalElements > 20 ? 20 : info.totalElements;
-      return Object.assign({}, info, { totalElements: totalElements });
-    });
+    return itemsObs
+      .filter((rd: RemoteData<Item[]>) => rd.hasSucceeded)
+      .map((rd: RemoteData<Item[]>) => {
 
-    const payload = itemsRD.payload.map((items: Item[]) => {
-      return shuffle(items)
+      const totalElements = rd.pageInfo.totalElements > 20 ? 20 : rd.pageInfo.totalElements;
+      const pageInfo = Object.assign({}, rd.pageInfo, { totalElements: totalElements });
+
+      const payload = shuffle(rd.payload)
         .map((item: Item, index: number) => {
           const mockResult: SearchResult<DSpaceObject> = new ItemSearchResult();
           mockResult.dspaceObject = item;
@@ -138,43 +139,51 @@ export class SearchService implements OnDestroy {
           mockResult.hitHighlights = new Array(highlight);
           return mockResult;
         });
-    });
 
-    return new RemoteData(
-      Observable.of(self),
-      itemsRD.isRequestPending,
-      itemsRD.isResponsePending,
-      itemsRD.hasSucceeded,
-      errorMessage,
-      statusCode,
-      pageInfo,
-      payload
-    )
+      return new RemoteData(
+        self,
+        rd.isRequestPending,
+        rd.isResponsePending,
+        rd.hasSucceeded,
+        errorMessage,
+        statusCode,
+        pageInfo,
+        payload
+      )
+    }).startWith(new RemoteData(
+        '',
+        true,
+        false,
+        undefined,
+        undefined,
+        undefined,
+        undefined,
+        undefined
+      ));
   }
 
-  getConfig(): RemoteData<SearchFilterConfig[]> {
-    const requestPending = Observable.of(false);
-    const responsePending = Observable.of(false);
-    const isSuccessful = Observable.of(true);
-    const errorMessage = Observable.of(undefined);
-    const statusCode = Observable.of('200');
-    const returningPageInfo = Observable.of(new PageInfo());
-    return new RemoteData(
-      Observable.of('https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/search'),
+  getConfig(): Observable<RemoteData<SearchFilterConfig[]>> {
+    const requestPending = false;
+    const responsePending = false;
+    const isSuccessful = true;
+    const errorMessage = undefined;
+    const statusCode = '200';
+    const returningPageInfo = new PageInfo();
+    return Observable.of(new RemoteData(
+      'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/search',
       requestPending,
       responsePending,
       isSuccessful,
       errorMessage,
       statusCode,
       returningPageInfo,
-      Observable.of(this.config)
-    );
+      this.config
+    ));
   }
 
-  getFacetValuesFor(searchFilterConfigName: string): RemoteData<FacetValue[]> {
+  getFacetValuesFor(searchFilterConfigName: string): Observable<RemoteData<FacetValue[]>> {
 
     const filterConfig = this.config.find((config: SearchFilterConfig) => config.name === searchFilterConfigName);
-
     const values: FacetValue[] = [];
     for (let i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
       const value = searchFilterConfigName + ' ' + (i + 1);
@@ -184,22 +193,22 @@ export class SearchService implements OnDestroy {
         search: decodeURI(this.router.url) + (this.router.url.includes('?') ? '&' : '?') + filterConfig.paramName + '=' + value
       });
     }
-    const requestPending = Observable.of(false);
-    const responsePending = Observable.of(false);
-    const isSuccessful = Observable.of(true);
-    const errorMessage = Observable.of(undefined);
-    const statusCode = Observable.of('200');
-    const returningPageInfo = Observable.of(new PageInfo());
-    return new RemoteData(
-      Observable.of('https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/search'),
+    const requestPending = false;
+    const responsePending = false;
+    const isSuccessful = true;
+    const errorMessage = undefined;
+    const statusCode = '200';
+    const returningPageInfo = new PageInfo();
+    return Observable.of(new RemoteData(
+      'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/search',
       requestPending,
       responsePending,
       isSuccessful,
       errorMessage,
       statusCode,
       returningPageInfo,
-      Observable.of(values)
-    );
+      values
+    ));
   }
 
   getViewMode(): Observable<ViewMode> {
diff --git a/src/app/app.component.ts b/src/app/app.component.ts
index fe9ab3d7db..f7e30674b8 100644
--- a/src/app/app.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/app.component.ts
@@ -1,29 +1,29 @@
 import {
   ChangeDetectionStrategy,
   Component,
+  HostListener,
   Inject,
-  ViewEncapsulation,
   OnInit,
-  HostListener
+  ViewEncapsulation
 } from '@angular/core';
 
-import { TranslateService } from '@ngx-translate/core';
-
 import { Store } from '@ngrx/store';
 
-import { TransferState } from '../modules/transfer-state/transfer-state';
-import { HostWindowState } from './shared/host-window.reducer';
-import { HostWindowResizeAction } from './shared/host-window.actions';
-import { NativeWindowRef, NativeWindowService } from './shared/window.service';
-import { MetadataService } from './core/metadata/metadata.service';
+import { TranslateService } from '@ngx-translate/core';
 
 import { GLOBAL_CONFIG, GlobalConfig } from '../config';
 
+import { TransferState } from '../modules/transfer-state/transfer-state';
+import { MetadataService } from './core/metadata/metadata.service';
+import { HostWindowResizeAction } from './shared/host-window.actions';
+import { HostWindowState } from './shared/host-window.reducer';
+import { NativeWindowRef, NativeWindowService } from './shared/window.service';
+
 @Component({
   selector: 'ds-app',
   templateUrl: './app.component.html',
   styleUrls: ['./app.component.scss'],
-  changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.Default,
+  changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush,
   encapsulation: ViewEncapsulation.None
 })
 export class AppComponent implements OnInit {
diff --git a/src/app/app.module.ts b/src/app/app.module.ts
index a80a173297..14719ed266 100755
--- a/src/app/app.module.ts
+++ b/src/app/app.module.ts
@@ -40,10 +40,7 @@ export function getBase() {
 
 export function getMetaReducers(config: GlobalConfig): Array<MetaReducer<AppState>> {
   const metaReducers: Array<MetaReducer<AppState>> = config.production ? appMetaReducers : [...appMetaReducers, storeFreeze];
-  if (config.debug) {
-    metaReducers.concat(debugMetaReducers)
-  }
-  return metaReducers;
+  return config.debug ? [...metaReducers, ...debugMetaReducers] : metaReducers;
 }
 
 const DEV_MODULES: any[] = [];
diff --git a/src/app/core/browse/browse.service.spec.ts b/src/app/core/browse/browse.service.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..65b32b3c0b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/core/browse/browse.service.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,205 @@
+import { BrowseService } from './browse.service';
+import { ResponseCacheService } from '../cache/response-cache.service';
+import { RequestService } from '../data/request.service';
+import { GlobalConfig } from '../../../config';
+import { hot, cold, getTestScheduler } from 'jasmine-marbles';
+import { BrowseDefinition } from '../shared/browse-definition.model';
+import { BrowseEndpointRequest } from '../data/request.models';
+import { TestScheduler } from 'rxjs/Rx';
+
+describe('BrowseService', () => {
+  let scheduler: TestScheduler;
+  let service: BrowseService;
+  let responseCache: ResponseCacheService;
+  let requestService: RequestService;
+
+  const envConfig = {} as GlobalConfig;
+  const browsesEndpointURL = 'https://rest.api/browses';
+  const browseDefinitions = [
+    Object.assign(new BrowseDefinition(), {
+      metadataBrowse: false,
+      sortOptions: [
+        {
+          name: 'title',
+          metadata: 'dc.title'
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'dateissued',
+          metadata: 'dc.date.issued'
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'dateaccessioned',
+          metadata: 'dc.date.accessioned'
+        }
+      ],
+      defaultSortOrder: 'ASC',
+      type: 'browse',
+      metadataKeys: [
+        'dc.date.issued'
+      ],
+      _links: {
+        self: 'https://rest.api/discover/browses/dateissued',
+        items: 'https://rest.api/discover/browses/dateissued/items'
+      }
+    }),
+    Object.assign(new BrowseDefinition(), {
+      metadataBrowse: true,
+      sortOptions: [
+        {
+          name: 'title',
+          metadata: 'dc.title'
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'dateissued',
+          metadata: 'dc.date.issued'
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'dateaccessioned',
+          metadata: 'dc.date.accessioned'
+        }
+      ],
+      defaultSortOrder: 'ASC',
+      type: 'browse',
+      metadataKeys: [
+        'dc.contributor.*',
+        'dc.creator'
+      ],
+      _links: {
+        self: 'https://rest.api/discover/browses/author',
+        entries: 'https://rest.api/discover/browses/author/entries',
+        items: 'https://rest.api/discover/browses/author/items'
+      }
+    })
+  ];
+
+  function initMockResponseCacheService(isSuccessful: boolean) {
+    return jasmine.createSpyObj('responseCache', {
+      get: cold('b-', {
+        b: {
+          response: {
+            isSuccessful,
+            browseDefinitions,
+          }
+        }
+      })
+    });
+  }
+
+  function initMockRequestService() {
+    return jasmine.createSpyObj('requestService', ['configure']);
+  }
+
+  function initTestService() {
+    return new BrowseService(
+      responseCache,
+      requestService,
+      envConfig
+    );
+  }
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    scheduler = getTestScheduler();
+  });
+
+  describe('getBrowseURLFor', () => {
+
+    describe('if getEndpoint fires', () => {
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        responseCache = initMockResponseCacheService(true);
+        requestService = initMockRequestService();
+        service = initTestService();
+        spyOn(service, 'getEndpoint').and
+          .returnValue(hot('--a-', { a: browsesEndpointURL }));
+      });
+
+      it('should return the URL for the given metadatumKey and linkName', () => {
+        const metadatumKey = 'dc.date.issued';
+        const linkName = 'items';
+        const expectedURL = browseDefinitions[0]._links[linkName];
+
+        const result = service.getBrowseURLFor(metadatumKey, linkName);
+        const expected = cold('c-d-', { c: undefined, d: expectedURL });
+
+        expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+      });
+
+      it('should work when the definition uses a wildcard in the metadatumKey', () => {
+        const metadatumKey = 'dc.contributor.author';  // should match dc.contributor.* in the definition
+        const linkName = 'items';
+        const expectedURL = browseDefinitions[1]._links[linkName];
+
+        const result = service.getBrowseURLFor(metadatumKey, linkName);
+        const expected = cold('c-d-', { c: undefined, d: expectedURL });
+
+        expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+      });
+
+      it('should throw an error when the key doesn\'t match', () => {
+        const metadatumKey = 'dc.title'; // isn't in the definitions
+        const linkName = 'items';
+
+        const result = service.getBrowseURLFor(metadatumKey, linkName);
+        const expected = cold('c-#-', { c: undefined }, new Error(`A browse endpoint for ${linkName} on ${metadatumKey} isn't configured`));
+
+        expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+      });
+
+      it('should throw an error when the link doesn\'t match', () => {
+        const metadatumKey = 'dc.date.issued';
+        const linkName = 'collections'; // isn't in the definitions
+
+        const result = service.getBrowseURLFor(metadatumKey, linkName);
+        const expected = cold('c-#-', { c: undefined }, new Error(`A browse endpoint for ${linkName} on ${metadatumKey} isn't configured`));
+
+        expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+      });
+
+      it('should configure a new BrowseEndpointRequest', () => {
+        const metadatumKey = 'dc.date.issued';
+        const linkName = 'items';
+        const expected = new BrowseEndpointRequest(browsesEndpointURL);
+
+        scheduler.schedule(() => service.getBrowseURLFor(metadatumKey, linkName).subscribe());
+        scheduler.flush();
+
+        expect(requestService.configure).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expected);
+
+      });
+
+    });
+
+    describe('if getEndpoint doesn\'t fire', () => {
+      it('should return undefined', () => {
+        responseCache = initMockResponseCacheService(true);
+        requestService = initMockRequestService();
+        service = initTestService();
+        spyOn(service, 'getEndpoint').and
+          .returnValue(hot('----'));
+
+        const metadatumKey = 'dc.date.issued';
+        const linkName = 'items';
+
+        const result = service.getBrowseURLFor(metadatumKey, linkName);
+        const expected = cold('b---', { b: undefined });
+        expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+      });
+    });
+
+    describe('if the browses endpoint can\'t be retrieved', () => {
+      it('should throw an error', () => {
+        responseCache = initMockResponseCacheService(false);
+        requestService = initMockRequestService();
+        service = initTestService();
+        spyOn(service, 'getEndpoint').and
+          .returnValue(hot('--a-', { a: browsesEndpointURL }));
+
+        const metadatumKey = 'dc.date.issued';
+        const linkName = 'items';
+
+        const result = service.getBrowseURLFor(metadatumKey, linkName);
+        const expected = cold('c-#-', { c: undefined }, new Error(`Couldn't retrieve the browses endpoint`));
+        expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+      });
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/app/core/browse/browse.service.ts b/src/app/core/browse/browse.service.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6d8d504b82
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/core/browse/browse.service.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+import { Inject, Injectable } from '@angular/core';
+import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
+import { GLOBAL_CONFIG } from '../../../config';
+import { GlobalConfig } from '../../../config/global-config.interface';
+import { isEmpty, isNotEmpty } from '../../shared/empty.util';
+import { BrowseSuccessResponse, ErrorResponse, RestResponse } from '../cache/response-cache.models';
+import { ResponseCacheEntry } from '../cache/response-cache.reducer';
+import { ResponseCacheService } from '../cache/response-cache.service';
+import { BrowseEndpointRequest, RestRequest } from '../data/request.models';
+import { RequestService } from '../data/request.service';
+import { BrowseDefinition } from '../shared/browse-definition.model';
+import { HALEndpointService } from '../shared/hal-endpoint.service';
+
+@Injectable()
+export class BrowseService extends HALEndpointService {
+  protected linkName = 'browses';
+
+  private static toSearchKeyArray(metadatumKey: string): string[] {
+    const keyParts = metadatumKey.split('.');
+    const searchFor = [];
+    searchFor.push('*');
+    for (let i = 0; i < keyParts.length - 1; i++) {
+      const prevParts = keyParts.slice(0, i + 1);
+      const nextPart = [...prevParts, '*'].join('.');
+      searchFor.push(nextPart);
+    }
+    searchFor.push(metadatumKey);
+    return searchFor;
+  }
+
+  constructor(
+    protected responseCache: ResponseCacheService,
+    protected requestService: RequestService,
+    @Inject(GLOBAL_CONFIG) protected EnvConfig: GlobalConfig) {
+    super();
+  }
+
+  getBrowseURLFor(metadatumKey: string, linkName: string): Observable<string> {
+    const searchKeyArray = BrowseService.toSearchKeyArray(metadatumKey);
+    return this.getEndpoint()
+      .filter((href: string) => isNotEmpty(href))
+      .distinctUntilChanged()
+      .map((endpointURL: string) => new BrowseEndpointRequest(endpointURL))
+      .do((request: RestRequest) => this.requestService.configure(request))
+      .flatMap((request: RestRequest) => {
+        const [successResponse, errorResponse] = this.responseCache.get(request.href)
+          .map((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => entry.response)
+          .partition((response: RestResponse) => response.isSuccessful);
+
+        return Observable.merge(
+          errorResponse.flatMap((response: ErrorResponse) =>
+            Observable.throw(new Error(`Couldn't retrieve the browses endpoint`))),
+          successResponse
+            .filter((response: BrowseSuccessResponse) => isNotEmpty(response.browseDefinitions))
+            .map((response: BrowseSuccessResponse) => response.browseDefinitions)
+            .map((browseDefinitions: BrowseDefinition[]) => browseDefinitions
+              .find((def: BrowseDefinition) => {
+                const matchingKeys = def.metadataKeys.find((key: string) => searchKeyArray.indexOf(key) >= 0);
+                return isNotEmpty(matchingKeys);
+              })
+            ).map((def: BrowseDefinition) => {
+            if (isEmpty(def) || isEmpty(def._links) || isEmpty(def._links[linkName])) {
+              throw new Error(`A browse endpoint for ${linkName} on ${metadatumKey} isn't configured`);
+            } else {
+              return def._links[linkName];
+            }
+          })
+        );
+      }).startWith(undefined)
+      .distinctUntilChanged();
+  }
+
+}
diff --git a/src/app/core/cache/builders/remote-data-build.service.ts b/src/app/core/cache/builders/remote-data-build.service.ts
index 046250efda..2e3fc01b52 100644
--- a/src/app/core/cache/builders/remote-data-build.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/cache/builders/remote-data-build.service.ts
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ export class RemoteDataBuildService {
   buildSingle<TNormalized extends CacheableObject, TDomain>(
     hrefObs: string | Observable<string>,
     normalizedType: GenericConstructor<TNormalized>
-  ): RemoteData<TDomain> {
+  ): Observable<RemoteData<TDomain>> {
     if (typeof hrefObs === 'string') {
       hrefObs = Observable.of(hrefObs);
     }
@@ -49,46 +49,8 @@ export class RemoteDataBuildService {
       requestHrefObs.flatMap((requestHref) => this.responseCache.get(requestHref)).filter((entry) => hasValue(entry))
     );
 
-    const requestPending = requestObs
-      .map((entry: RequestEntry) => entry.requestPending)
-      .startWith(true)
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
-
-    const responsePending = requestObs
-      .map((entry: RequestEntry) => entry.responsePending)
-      .startWith(false)
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
-
-    const isSuccessFul = responseCacheObs
-      .map((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => entry.response.isSuccessful)
-      .startWith(false)
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
-
-    const errorMessage = responseCacheObs
-      .filter((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => !entry.response.isSuccessful)
-      .map((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => (entry.response as ErrorResponse).errorMessage)
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
-
-    const statusCode = responseCacheObs
-      .map((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => entry.response.statusCode)
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
-
-    /* tslint:disable:no-string-literal */
-    const pageInfo = responseCacheObs
-      .filter((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => hasValue(entry.response) && hasValue(entry.response['pageInfo']))
-      .map((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => (entry.response as DSOSuccessResponse).pageInfo)
-      .map((pInfo: PageInfo) => {
-        if (isNotEmpty(pageInfo) && pInfo.currentPage >= 0) {
-          return Object.assign({}, pInfo, {currentPage: pInfo.currentPage + 1});
-        } else {
-          return pInfo;
-        }
-      })
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
-    /* tslint:enable:no-string-literal */
-
     // always use self link if that is cached, only if it isn't, get it via the response.
-    const payload =
+    const payloadObs =
       Observable.combineLatest(
         hrefObs.flatMap((href: string) => this.objectCache.getBySelfLink<TNormalized>(href, normalizedType))
           .startWith(undefined),
@@ -114,24 +76,53 @@ export class RemoteDataBuildService {
       ).filter((normalized) => hasValue(normalized))
         .map((normalized: TNormalized) => {
           return this.build<TNormalized, TDomain>(normalized);
-        }).distinctUntilChanged();
+        })
+        .startWith(undefined)
+        .distinctUntilChanged();
+    return this.toRemoteDataObservable(hrefObs, requestObs, responseCacheObs, payloadObs);
+  }
 
-    return new RemoteData(
-      hrefObs,
-      requestPending,
-      responsePending,
-      isSuccessFul,
-      errorMessage,
-      statusCode,
-      pageInfo,
-      payload
-    );
+  private toRemoteDataObservable<T>(hrefObs: Observable<string>, requestObs: Observable<RequestEntry>, responseCacheObs: Observable<ResponseCacheEntry>, payloadObs: Observable<T>) {
+    return Observable.combineLatest(hrefObs, requestObs, responseCacheObs.startWith(undefined), payloadObs,
+      (href: string, reqEntry: RequestEntry, resEntry: ResponseCacheEntry, payload: T) => {
+        const requestPending = hasValue(reqEntry.requestPending) ? reqEntry.requestPending : true;
+        const responsePending = hasValue(reqEntry.responsePending) ? reqEntry.responsePending : false;
+        let isSuccessFul: boolean;
+        let errorMessage: string;
+        let statusCode: string;
+        let pageInfo: PageInfo;
+        if (hasValue(resEntry) && hasValue(resEntry.response)) {
+          isSuccessFul = resEntry.response.isSuccessful;
+          errorMessage = isSuccessFul === false ? (resEntry.response as ErrorResponse).errorMessage : undefined;
+          statusCode = resEntry.response.statusCode;
+
+          if (hasValue((resEntry.response as DSOSuccessResponse).pageInfo)) {
+            const resPageInfo = (resEntry.response as DSOSuccessResponse).pageInfo;
+            if (isNotEmpty(resPageInfo) && resPageInfo.currentPage >= 0) {
+              pageInfo = Object.assign({}, resPageInfo, { currentPage: resPageInfo.currentPage + 1 });
+            } else {
+              pageInfo = resPageInfo;
+            }
+          }
+        }
+
+        return new RemoteData(
+          href,
+          requestPending,
+          responsePending,
+          isSuccessFul,
+          errorMessage,
+          statusCode,
+          pageInfo,
+          payload
+        );
+      });
   }
 
   buildList<TNormalized extends CacheableObject, TDomain>(
     hrefObs: string | Observable<string>,
     normalizedType: GenericConstructor<TNormalized>
-  ): RemoteData<TDomain[]> {
+  ): Observable<RemoteData<TDomain[]>> {
     if (typeof hrefObs === 'string') {
       hrefObs = Observable.of(hrefObs);
     }
@@ -141,38 +132,7 @@ export class RemoteDataBuildService {
     const responseCacheObs = hrefObs.flatMap((href: string) => this.responseCache.get(href))
       .filter((entry) => hasValue(entry));
 
-    const requestPending = requestObs
-      .map((entry: RequestEntry) => entry.requestPending)
-      .startWith(true)
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
-
-    const responsePending = requestObs
-      .map((entry: RequestEntry) => entry.responsePending)
-      .startWith(false)
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
-
-    const isSuccessFul = responseCacheObs
-      .map((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => entry.response.isSuccessful)
-      .startWith(false)
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
-
-    const errorMessage = responseCacheObs
-      .filter((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => !entry.response.isSuccessful)
-      .map((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => (entry.response as ErrorResponse).errorMessage)
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
-
-    const statusCode = responseCacheObs
-      .map((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => entry.response.statusCode)
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
-
-    /* tslint:disable:no-string-literal */
-    const pageInfo = responseCacheObs
-      .filter((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => hasValue(entry.response) && hasValue(entry.response['pageInfo']))
-      .map((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => (entry.response as DSOSuccessResponse).pageInfo)
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
-    /* tslint:enable:no-string-literal */
-
-    const payload = responseCacheObs
+    const payloadObs = responseCacheObs
       .filter((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => entry.response.isSuccessful)
       .map((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => (entry.response as DSOSuccessResponse).resourceSelfLinks)
       .flatMap((resourceUUIDs: string[]) => {
@@ -183,18 +143,10 @@ export class RemoteDataBuildService {
             });
           });
       })
+      .startWith([])
       .distinctUntilChanged();
 
-    return new RemoteData(
-      hrefObs,
-      requestPending,
-      responsePending,
-      isSuccessFul,
-      errorMessage,
-      statusCode,
-      pageInfo,
-      payload
-    );
+    return this.toRemoteDataObservable(hrefObs, requestObs, responseCacheObs, payloadObs);
   }
 
   build<TNormalized extends CacheableObject, TDomain>(normalized: TNormalized): TDomain {
@@ -207,13 +159,9 @@ export class RemoteDataBuildService {
         const { resourceType, isList } = getRelationMetadata(normalized, relationship);
         const resourceConstructor = NormalizedObjectFactory.getConstructor(resourceType);
         if (Array.isArray(normalized[relationship])) {
-          // without the setTimeout, the actions inside requestService.configure
-          // are dispatched, but sometimes don't arrive. I'm unsure why atm.
-          setTimeout(() => {
-            normalized[relationship].forEach((href: string) => {
-              this.requestService.configure(new RestRequest(href))
-            });
-          }, 0);
+          normalized[relationship].forEach((href: string) => {
+            this.requestService.configure(new RestRequest(href))
+          });
 
           const rdArr = [];
           normalized[relationship].forEach((href: string) => {
@@ -226,11 +174,7 @@ export class RemoteDataBuildService {
             links[relationship] = rdArr[0];
           }
         } else {
-          // without the setTimeout, the actions inside requestService.configure
-          // are dispatched, but sometimes don't arrive. I'm unsure why atm.
-          setTimeout(() => {
-            this.requestService.configure(new RestRequest(normalized[relationship]));
-          }, 0);
+          this.requestService.configure(new RestRequest(normalized[relationship]));
 
           // The rest API can return a single URL to represent a list of resources (e.g. /items/:id/bitstreams)
           // in that case only 1 href will be stored in the normalized obj (so the isArray above fails),
@@ -248,63 +192,55 @@ export class RemoteDataBuildService {
     return Object.assign(new domainModel(), normalized, links);
   }
 
-  aggregate<T>(input: Array<RemoteData<T>>): RemoteData<T[]> {
-    const requestPending = Observable.combineLatest(
-      ...input.map((rd) => rd.isRequestPending),
-    ).map((...pendingArray) => pendingArray.every((e) => e === true))
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
+  aggregate<T>(input: Array<Observable<RemoteData<T>>>): Observable<RemoteData<T[]>> {
+    return Observable.combineLatest(
+      ...input,
+      (...arr: Array<RemoteData<T>>) => {
+        const requestPending: boolean = arr
+          .map((d: RemoteData<T>) => d.isRequestPending)
+          .every((b: boolean) => b === true);
 
-    const responsePending = Observable.combineLatest(
-      ...input.map((rd) => rd.isResponsePending),
-    ).map((...pendingArray) => pendingArray.every((e) => e === true))
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
+        const responsePending: boolean = arr
+          .map((d: RemoteData<T>) => d.isResponsePending)
+          .every((b: boolean) => b === true);
 
-    const isSuccessFul = Observable.combineLatest(
-      ...input.map((rd) => rd.hasSucceeded),
-    ).map((...successArray) => successArray.every((e) => e === true))
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
+        const isSuccessFul: boolean = arr
+          .map((d: RemoteData<T>) => d.hasSucceeded)
+          .every((b: boolean) => b === true);
 
-    const errorMessage = Observable.combineLatest(
-      ...input.map((rd) => rd.errorMessage),
-    ).map((...errors) => errors
-      .map((e, idx) => {
-        if (hasValue(e)) {
-          return `[${idx}]: ${e}`;
-        }
+        const errorMessage: string = arr
+          .map((d: RemoteData<T>) => d.errorMessage)
+          .map((e: string, idx: number) => {
+            if (hasValue(e)) {
+              return `[${idx}]: ${e}`;
+            }
+          }).filter((e: string) => hasValue(e))
+          .join(', ');
+
+        const statusCode: string = arr
+          .map((d: RemoteData<T>) => d.statusCode)
+          .map((c: string, idx: number) => {
+            if (hasValue(c)) {
+              return `[${idx}]: ${c}`;
+            }
+          }).filter((c: string) => hasValue(c))
+          .join(', ');
+
+        const pageInfo = undefined;
+
+        const payload: T[] = arr.map((d: RemoteData<T>) => d.payload);
+
+        return new RemoteData(
+          `dspace-angular://aggregated/object/${new Date().getTime()}`,
+          requestPending,
+          responsePending,
+          isSuccessFul,
+          errorMessage,
+          statusCode,
+          pageInfo,
+          payload
+        );
       })
-      .filter((e) => hasValue(e))
-      .join(', ')
-      );
-
-    const statusCode = Observable.combineLatest(
-      ...input.map((rd) => rd.statusCode),
-    ).map((...statusCodes) => statusCodes
-      .map((code, idx) => {
-        if (hasValue(code)) {
-          return `[${idx}]: ${code}`;
-        }
-      })
-      .filter((c) => hasValue(c))
-      .join(', ')
-      );
-
-    const pageInfo = Observable.of(undefined);
-
-    const payload = Observable.combineLatest(...input.map((rd) => rd.payload)) as Observable<T[]>;
-
-    return new RemoteData(
-      // This is an aggregated object, it doesn't necessarily correspond
-      // to a single REST endpoint, so instead of a self link, use the
-      // current time in ms for a somewhat unique id
-      Observable.of(`${new Date().getTime()}`),
-      requestPending,
-      responsePending,
-      isSuccessFul,
-      errorMessage,
-      statusCode,
-      pageInfo,
-      payload
-    );
   }
 
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/cache/models/normalized-dspace-object.model.ts b/src/app/core/cache/models/normalized-dspace-object.model.ts
index 3c6ca663c6..da42ea5a9b 100644
--- a/src/app/core/cache/models/normalized-dspace-object.model.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/cache/models/normalized-dspace-object.model.ts
@@ -66,4 +66,14 @@ export abstract class NormalizedDSpaceObject extends NormalizedObject {
   @autoserialize
   owner: string;
 
+  /**
+   * The links to all related resources returned by the rest api.
+   *
+   * Repeated here to make the serialization work,
+   * inheritSerialization doesn't seem to work for more than one level
+   */
+  @autoserialize
+  _links: {
+    [name: string]: string
+  }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/cache/models/normalized-object.model.ts b/src/app/core/cache/models/normalized-object.model.ts
index 7c4154eae9..b26bd90b2a 100644
--- a/src/app/core/cache/models/normalized-object.model.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/cache/models/normalized-object.model.ts
@@ -17,4 +17,8 @@ export abstract class NormalizedObject implements CacheableObject {
   @autoserialize
   uuid: string;
 
+  @autoserialize
+  _links: {
+    [name: string]: string
+  }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/cache/response-cache.models.ts b/src/app/core/cache/response-cache.models.ts
index 8444a86490..4e3939b425 100644
--- a/src/app/core/cache/response-cache.models.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/cache/response-cache.models.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { RequestError } from '../data/request.models';
 import { PageInfo } from '../shared/page-info.model';
+import { BrowseDefinition } from '../shared/browse-definition.model';
 
 /* tslint:disable:max-classes-per-file */
 export class RestResponse {
@@ -32,6 +33,15 @@ export class RootSuccessResponse extends RestResponse {
   }
 }
 
+export class BrowseSuccessResponse extends RestResponse {
+  constructor(
+    public browseDefinitions: BrowseDefinition[],
+    public statusCode: string
+  ) {
+    super(true, statusCode);
+  }
+}
+
 export class ErrorResponse extends RestResponse {
   errorMessage: string;
 
diff --git a/src/app/core/cache/response-cache.service.ts b/src/app/core/cache/response-cache.service.ts
index eac76c519e..d734940496 100644
--- a/src/app/core/cache/response-cache.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/cache/response-cache.service.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { MemoizedSelector, Store } from '@ngrx/store';
 import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
 
 import { ResponseCacheEntry } from './response-cache.reducer';
-import { hasNoValue } from '../../shared/empty.util';
+import { hasNoValue, hasValue } from '../../shared/empty.util';
 import { ResponseCacheRemoveAction, ResponseCacheAddAction } from './response-cache.actions';
 import { RestResponse } from './response-cache.models';
 import { CoreState } from '../core.reducers';
diff --git a/src/app/core/core.module.ts b/src/app/core/core.module.ts
index b782f1d4fc..bfd5cebcb6 100644
--- a/src/app/core/core.module.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/core.module.ts
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ import { ResponseCacheService } from './cache/response-cache.service';
 import { RootResponseParsingService } from './data/root-response-parsing.service';
 import { ServerResponseService } from '../shared/server-response.service';
 import { NativeWindowFactory, NativeWindowService } from '../shared/window.service';
+import { BrowseService } from './browse/browse.service';
+import { BrowseResponseParsingService } from './data/browse-response-parsing.service';
 
 const IMPORTS = [
   CommonModule,
@@ -61,6 +63,8 @@ const PROVIDERS = [
   ResponseCacheService,
   RootResponseParsingService,
   ServerResponseService,
+  BrowseResponseParsingService,
+  BrowseService,
   { provide: NativeWindowService, useFactory: NativeWindowFactory }
 ];
 
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/browse-response-parsing.service.spec.ts b/src/app/core/data/browse-response-parsing.service.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5f27519a93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/core/data/browse-response-parsing.service.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+import { BrowseResponseParsingService } from './browse-response-parsing.service';
+import { BrowseEndpointRequest } from './request.models';
+import { BrowseSuccessResponse, ErrorResponse } from '../cache/response-cache.models';
+import { BrowseDefinition } from '../shared/browse-definition.model';
+
+describe('BrowseResponseParsingService', () => {
+  let service: BrowseResponseParsingService;
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    service = new BrowseResponseParsingService();
+  });
+
+  describe('parse', () => {
+    const validRequest = new BrowseEndpointRequest('https://rest.api/discover/browses');
+
+    const validResponse = {
+      payload: {
+        _embedded: {
+          browses: [{
+            metadataBrowse: false,
+            sortOptions: [{ name: 'title', metadata: 'dc.title' }, {
+              name: 'dateissued',
+              metadata: 'dc.date.issued'
+            }, { name: 'dateaccessioned', metadata: 'dc.date.accessioned' }],
+            order: 'ASC',
+            type: 'browse',
+            metadata: ['dc.date.issued'],
+            _links: {
+              self: { href: 'https://rest.api/discover/browses/dateissued' },
+              items: { href: 'https://rest.api/discover/browses/dateissued/items' }
+            }
+          }, {
+            metadataBrowse: true,
+            sortOptions: [{ name: 'title', metadata: 'dc.title' }, {
+              name: 'dateissued',
+              metadata: 'dc.date.issued'
+            }, { name: 'dateaccessioned', metadata: 'dc.date.accessioned' }],
+            order: 'ASC',
+            type: 'browse',
+            metadata: ['dc.contributor.*', 'dc.creator'],
+            _links: {
+              self: { href: 'https://rest.api/discover/browses/author' },
+              entries: { href: 'https://rest.api/discover/browses/author/entries' },
+              items: { href: 'https://rest.api/discover/browses/author/items' }
+            }
+          }]
+        },
+        _links: { self: { href: 'https://rest.api/discover/browses' } },
+        page: { size: 20, totalElements: 2, totalPages: 1, number: 0 }
+      }, statusCode: '200'
+    };
+
+    const invalidResponse1 = {
+      payload: {
+        _embedded: {
+          browse: {
+            metadataBrowse: false,
+            sortOptions: [{ name: 'title', metadata: 'dc.title' }, {
+              name: 'dateissued',
+              metadata: 'dc.date.issued'
+            }, { name: 'dateaccessioned', metadata: 'dc.date.accessioned' }],
+            order: 'ASC',
+            type: 'browse',
+            metadata: ['dc.date.issued'],
+            _links: {
+              self: { href: 'https://rest.api/discover/browses/dateissued' },
+              items: { href: 'https://rest.api/discover/browses/dateissued/items' }
+            }
+          }
+        },
+        _links: { self: { href: 'https://rest.api/discover/browses' } },
+        page: { size: 20, totalElements: 2, totalPages: 1, number: 0 }
+      }, statusCode: '200'
+    };
+
+    const invalidResponse2 = {
+      payload: {
+        browses: [{}, {}],
+        _links: { self: { href: 'https://rest.api/discover/browses' } },
+        page: { size: 20, totalElements: 2, totalPages: 1, number: 0 }
+      }, statusCode: '200'
+    };
+
+    const invalidResponse3 = {
+      payload: {
+        _links: { self: { href: 'https://rest.api/discover/browses' } },
+        page: { size: 20, totalElements: 2, totalPages: 1, number: 0 }
+      }, statusCode: '500'
+    };
+
+    const definitions = [
+      Object.assign(new BrowseDefinition(), {
+        metadataBrowse: false,
+        sortOptions: [
+          {
+            name: 'title',
+            metadata: 'dc.title'
+          },
+          {
+            name: 'dateissued',
+            metadata: 'dc.date.issued'
+          },
+          {
+            name: 'dateaccessioned',
+            metadata: 'dc.date.accessioned'
+          }
+        ],
+        defaultSortOrder: 'ASC',
+        type: 'browse',
+        metadataKeys: [
+          'dc.date.issued'
+        ],
+        _links: { }
+      }),
+      Object.assign(new BrowseDefinition(), {
+        metadataBrowse: true,
+        sortOptions: [
+          {
+            name: 'title',
+            metadata: 'dc.title'
+          },
+          {
+            name: 'dateissued',
+            metadata: 'dc.date.issued'
+          },
+          {
+            name: 'dateaccessioned',
+            metadata: 'dc.date.accessioned'
+          }
+        ],
+        defaultSortOrder: 'ASC',
+        type: 'browse',
+        metadataKeys: [
+          'dc.contributor.*',
+          'dc.creator'
+        ],
+        _links: { }
+      })
+    ];
+
+    it('should return a BrowseSuccessResponse if data contains a valid browse endpoint response', () => {
+      const response = service.parse(validRequest, validResponse);
+      expect(response.constructor).toBe(BrowseSuccessResponse);
+    });
+
+    it('should return an ErrorResponse if data contains an invalid browse endpoint response', () => {
+      const response1 = service.parse(validRequest, invalidResponse1);
+      const response2 = service.parse(validRequest, invalidResponse2);
+      expect(response1.constructor).toBe(ErrorResponse);
+      expect(response2.constructor).toBe(ErrorResponse);
+    });
+
+    it('should return an ErrorResponse if data contains a statuscode other than 200', () => {
+      const response = service.parse(validRequest, invalidResponse3);
+      expect(response.constructor).toBe(ErrorResponse);
+    });
+
+    it('should return a BrowseSuccessResponse with the BrowseDefinitions in data', () => {
+      const response = service.parse(validRequest, validResponse);
+      expect((response as BrowseSuccessResponse).browseDefinitions).toEqual(definitions);
+    });
+
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/browse-response-parsing.service.ts b/src/app/core/data/browse-response-parsing.service.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8633e7269a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/core/data/browse-response-parsing.service.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+import { Injectable } from '@angular/core';
+import { ResponseParsingService } from './parsing.service';
+import { RestRequest } from './request.models';
+import { DSpaceRESTV2Response } from '../dspace-rest-v2/dspace-rest-v2-response.model';
+import { BrowseSuccessResponse, ErrorResponse, RestResponse } from '../cache/response-cache.models';
+import { isNotEmpty } from '../../shared/empty.util';
+import { DSpaceRESTv2Serializer } from '../dspace-rest-v2/dspace-rest-v2.serializer';
+import { BrowseDefinition } from '../shared/browse-definition.model';
+
+@Injectable()
+export class BrowseResponseParsingService implements ResponseParsingService {
+
+  parse(request: RestRequest, data: DSpaceRESTV2Response): RestResponse {
+    if (isNotEmpty(data.payload) && isNotEmpty(data.payload._embedded)
+      && Array.isArray(data.payload._embedded[Object.keys(data.payload._embedded)[0]])) {
+      const serializer = new DSpaceRESTv2Serializer(BrowseDefinition);
+      const browseDefinitions = serializer.deserializeArray(data.payload._embedded[Object.keys(data.payload._embedded)[0]]);
+      return new BrowseSuccessResponse(browseDefinitions, data.statusCode);
+    } else {
+      return new ErrorResponse(
+        Object.assign(
+          new Error('Unexpected response from browse endpoint'),
+          { statusText: data.statusCode }
+        )
+      );
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/collection-data.service.ts b/src/app/core/data/collection-data.service.ts
index ec765c3cb1..f9f581128b 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/collection-data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/collection-data.service.ts
@@ -1,28 +1,29 @@
 import { Inject, Injectable } from '@angular/core';
 import { Store } from '@ngrx/store';
-
-import { DataService } from './data.service';
-import { Collection } from '../shared/collection.model';
-import { ResponseCacheService } from '../cache/response-cache.service';
-import { NormalizedCollection } from '../cache/models/normalized-collection.model';
-import { CoreState } from '../core.reducers';
-import { RequestService } from './request.service';
-import { RemoteDataBuildService } from '../cache/builders/remote-data-build.service';
 import { GLOBAL_CONFIG, GlobalConfig } from '../../../config';
+import { RemoteDataBuildService } from '../cache/builders/remote-data-build.service';
+import { NormalizedCollection } from '../cache/models/normalized-collection.model';
+import { ObjectCacheService } from '../cache/object-cache.service';
+import { ResponseCacheService } from '../cache/response-cache.service';
+import { CoreState } from '../core.reducers';
+import { Collection } from '../shared/collection.model';
+import { ComColDataService } from './comcol-data.service';
+import { CommunityDataService } from './community-data.service';
+import { RequestService } from './request.service';
 
 @Injectable()
-export class CollectionDataService extends DataService<NormalizedCollection, Collection> {
+export class CollectionDataService extends ComColDataService<NormalizedCollection, Collection> {
   protected linkName = 'collections';
-  protected browseEndpoint = '/discover/browses/dateissued/collections';
 
   constructor(
     protected responseCache: ResponseCacheService,
     protected requestService: RequestService,
     protected rdbService: RemoteDataBuildService,
     protected store: Store<CoreState>,
-    @Inject(GLOBAL_CONFIG) EnvConfig: GlobalConfig
+    @Inject(GLOBAL_CONFIG) protected EnvConfig: GlobalConfig,
+    protected cds: CommunityDataService,
+    protected objectCache: ObjectCacheService
   ) {
-    super(NormalizedCollection, EnvConfig);
+    super(NormalizedCollection);
   }
-
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/comcol-data.service.spec.ts b/src/app/core/data/comcol-data.service.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..be7949826f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/core/data/comcol-data.service.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,181 @@
+import { Store } from '@ngrx/store';
+import { cold, getTestScheduler, hot } from 'jasmine-marbles';
+import { TestScheduler } from 'rxjs/Rx';
+import { GlobalConfig } from '../../../config';
+import { RemoteDataBuildService } from '../cache/builders/remote-data-build.service';
+import { NormalizedCommunity } from '../cache/models/normalized-community.model';
+import { CacheableObject } from '../cache/object-cache.reducer';
+import { ObjectCacheService } from '../cache/object-cache.service';
+import { ResponseCacheService } from '../cache/response-cache.service';
+import { CoreState } from '../core.reducers';
+import { ComColDataService } from './comcol-data.service';
+import { CommunityDataService } from './community-data.service';
+import { FindByIDRequest } from './request.models';
+import { RequestService } from './request.service';
+
+const LINK_NAME = 'test';
+
+/* tslint:disable:max-classes-per-file */
+class NormalizedTestObject implements CacheableObject {
+  self: string;
+}
+
+class TestService extends ComColDataService<NormalizedTestObject, any> {
+  protected linkName = LINK_NAME;
+
+  constructor(
+    protected responseCache: ResponseCacheService,
+    protected requestService: RequestService,
+    protected rdbService: RemoteDataBuildService,
+    protected store: Store<CoreState>,
+    protected EnvConfig: GlobalConfig,
+    protected cds: CommunityDataService,
+    protected objectCache: ObjectCacheService
+  ) {
+    super(NormalizedTestObject);
+  }
+}
+/* tslint:enable:max-classes-per-file */
+
+describe('ComColDataService', () => {
+  let scheduler: TestScheduler;
+  let service: TestService;
+  let responseCache: ResponseCacheService;
+  let requestService: RequestService;
+  let cds: CommunityDataService;
+  let objectCache: ObjectCacheService;
+
+  const rdbService = {} as RemoteDataBuildService;
+  const store = {} as Store<CoreState>;
+  const EnvConfig = {} as GlobalConfig;
+
+  const scopeID = 'd9d30c0c-69b7-4369-8397-ca67c888974d';
+  const communitiesEndpoint = 'https://rest.api/core/communities';
+  const communityEndpoint = `${communitiesEndpoint}/${scopeID}`;
+  const scopedEndpoint = `${communityEndpoint}/${LINK_NAME}`;
+  const serviceEndpoint = `https://rest.api/core/${LINK_NAME}`;
+
+  function initMockCommunityDataService(): CommunityDataService {
+    return jasmine.createSpyObj('responseCache', {
+      getEndpoint: hot('--a-', { a: communitiesEndpoint }),
+      getFindByIDHref: cold('b-', { b: communityEndpoint })
+    });
+  }
+
+  function initMockRequestService(): RequestService {
+    return jasmine.createSpyObj('requestService', ['configure']);
+  }
+
+  function initMockResponceCacheService(isSuccessful: boolean): ResponseCacheService {
+    return jasmine.createSpyObj('responseCache', {
+      get: cold('c-', {
+        c: { response: { isSuccessful } }
+      })
+    });
+  }
+
+  function initMockObjectCacheService(): ObjectCacheService {
+    return jasmine.createSpyObj('objectCache', {
+      getByUUID: cold('d-', {
+        d: {
+          _links: {
+            [LINK_NAME]: scopedEndpoint
+          }
+        }
+      })
+    });
+  }
+
+  function initTestService(): TestService {
+    return new TestService(
+      responseCache,
+      requestService,
+      rdbService,
+      store,
+      EnvConfig,
+      cds,
+      objectCache
+    );
+  }
+
+  describe('getScopedEndpoint', () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      scheduler = getTestScheduler();
+    });
+
+    it('should configure a new FindByIDRequest for the scope Community', () => {
+      cds = initMockCommunityDataService();
+      requestService = initMockRequestService();
+      objectCache = initMockObjectCacheService();
+      responseCache = initMockResponceCacheService(true);
+      service = initTestService();
+
+      const expected = new FindByIDRequest(communityEndpoint, scopeID);
+
+      scheduler.schedule(() => service.getScopedEndpoint(scopeID).subscribe());
+      scheduler.flush();
+
+      expect(requestService.configure).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expected);
+    });
+
+    describe('if the scope Community can be found', () => {
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        cds = initMockCommunityDataService();
+        requestService = initMockRequestService();
+        objectCache = initMockObjectCacheService();
+        responseCache = initMockResponceCacheService(true);
+        service = initTestService();
+      });
+
+      it('should fetch the scope Community from the cache', () => {
+        scheduler.schedule(() => service.getScopedEndpoint(scopeID).subscribe());
+        scheduler.flush();
+        expect(objectCache.getByUUID).toHaveBeenCalledWith(scopeID, NormalizedCommunity);
+      });
+
+      it('should return the endpoint to fetch resources within the given scope', () => {
+        const result = service.getScopedEndpoint(scopeID);
+        const expected = cold('--e-', { e: scopedEndpoint });
+
+        expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+      });
+    });
+
+    describe('if the scope Community can\'t be found', () => {
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        cds = initMockCommunityDataService();
+        requestService = initMockRequestService();
+        objectCache = initMockObjectCacheService();
+        responseCache = initMockResponceCacheService(false);
+        service = initTestService();
+      });
+
+      it('should throw an error', () => {
+        const result = service.getScopedEndpoint(scopeID);
+        const expected = cold('--#-', undefined, new Error(`The Community with scope ${scopeID} couldn't be retrieved`));
+
+        expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+      });
+    });
+
+    describe('if the scope is not specified', () => {
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        cds = initMockCommunityDataService();
+        requestService = initMockRequestService();
+        objectCache = initMockObjectCacheService();
+        responseCache = initMockResponceCacheService(true);
+        service = initTestService();
+      });
+
+      it('should return this.getEndpoint()', () => {
+        spyOn(service, 'getEndpoint').and.returnValue(cold('--e-', { e: serviceEndpoint }))
+
+        const result = service.getScopedEndpoint(undefined);
+        const expected = cold('--f-', { f: serviceEndpoint });
+
+        expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+      });
+    });
+
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/comcol-data.service.ts b/src/app/core/data/comcol-data.service.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..17d2fb313c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/core/data/comcol-data.service.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
+import { isEmpty, isNotEmpty } from '../../shared/empty.util';
+import { NormalizedCommunity } from '../cache/models/normalized-community.model';
+import { CacheableObject } from '../cache/object-cache.reducer';
+import { ObjectCacheService } from '../cache/object-cache.service';
+import { DSOSuccessResponse, ErrorResponse, RestResponse } from '../cache/response-cache.models';
+import { ResponseCacheEntry } from '../cache/response-cache.reducer';
+import { CommunityDataService } from './community-data.service';
+
+import { DataService } from './data.service';
+import { FindByIDRequest } from './request.models';
+
+export abstract class ComColDataService<TNormalized extends CacheableObject, TDomain>  extends DataService<TNormalized, TDomain> {
+  protected abstract cds: CommunityDataService;
+  protected abstract objectCache: ObjectCacheService;
+
+  /**
+   * Get the scoped endpoint URL by fetching the object with
+   * the given scopeID and returning its HAL link with this
+   * data-service's linkName
+   *
+   * @param {string} scopeID
+   *    the id of the scope object
+   * @return { Observable<string> }
+   *    an Observable<string> containing the scoped URL
+   */
+  public getScopedEndpoint(scopeID: string): Observable<string> {
+    if (isEmpty(scopeID)) {
+      return this.getEndpoint();
+    } else {
+      const scopeCommunityHrefObs = this.cds.getEndpoint()
+        .flatMap((endpoint: string) => this.cds.getFindByIDHref(endpoint, scopeID))
+        .filter((href: string) => isNotEmpty(href))
+        .take(1)
+        .do((href: string) => {
+          const request = new FindByIDRequest(href, scopeID);
+          this.requestService.configure(request);
+        });
+
+      const [successResponse, errorResponse] = scopeCommunityHrefObs
+        .flatMap((href: string) => this.responseCache.get(href))
+        .map((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => entry.response)
+        .share()
+        .partition((response: RestResponse) => response.isSuccessful);
+
+      return Observable.merge(
+        errorResponse.flatMap((response: ErrorResponse) =>
+          Observable.throw(new Error(`The Community with scope ${scopeID} couldn't be retrieved`))),
+        successResponse
+          .flatMap((response: DSOSuccessResponse) => this.objectCache.getByUUID(scopeID, NormalizedCommunity))
+          .map((nc: NormalizedCommunity) => nc._links[this.linkName])
+          .filter((href) => isNotEmpty(href))
+      ).distinctUntilChanged();
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/community-data.service.ts b/src/app/core/data/community-data.service.ts
index 532bce5ee6..bbee96ab47 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/community-data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/community-data.service.ts
@@ -1,29 +1,29 @@
 import { Inject, Injectable } from '@angular/core';
 
 import { Store } from '@ngrx/store';
-
-import { DataService } from './data.service';
-import { Community } from '../shared/community.model';
-import { ResponseCacheService } from '../cache/response-cache.service';
-import { NormalizedCommunity } from '../cache/models/normalized-community.model';
-import { CoreState } from '../core.reducers';
-import { RequestService } from './request.service';
-import { RemoteDataBuildService } from '../cache/builders/remote-data-build.service';
 import { GLOBAL_CONFIG, GlobalConfig } from '../../../config';
+import { RemoteDataBuildService } from '../cache/builders/remote-data-build.service';
+import { NormalizedCommunity } from '../cache/models/normalized-community.model';
+import { ObjectCacheService } from '../cache/object-cache.service';
+import { ResponseCacheService } from '../cache/response-cache.service';
+import { CoreState } from '../core.reducers';
+import { Community } from '../shared/community.model';
+import { ComColDataService } from './comcol-data.service';
+import { RequestService } from './request.service';
 
 @Injectable()
-export class CommunityDataService extends DataService<NormalizedCommunity, Community> {
+export class CommunityDataService extends ComColDataService<NormalizedCommunity, Community> {
   protected linkName = 'communities';
-  protected browseEndpoint = '/discover/browses/dateissued/communities';
+  protected cds = this;
 
   constructor(
     protected responseCache: ResponseCacheService,
     protected requestService: RequestService,
     protected rdbService: RemoteDataBuildService,
     protected store: Store<CoreState>,
-    @Inject(GLOBAL_CONFIG) EnvConfig: GlobalConfig
+    @Inject(GLOBAL_CONFIG) protected EnvConfig: GlobalConfig,
+    protected objectCache: ObjectCacheService
   ) {
-    super(NormalizedCommunity, EnvConfig);
+    super(NormalizedCommunity);
   }
-
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/data.service.ts b/src/app/core/data/data.service.ts
index d1054d69ef..e2f41f5962 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/data.service.ts
@@ -1,74 +1,42 @@
-import { ResponseCacheService } from '../cache/response-cache.service';
-import { CacheableObject } from '../cache/object-cache.reducer';
-import { hasValue, isNotEmpty } from '../../shared/empty.util';
-import { RemoteData } from './remote-data';
-import {
-  FindAllOptions,
-  FindAllRequest,
-  FindByIDRequest,
-  RestRequest,
-  RootEndpointRequest
-} from './request.models';
 import { Store } from '@ngrx/store';
-import { CoreState } from '../core.reducers';
-import { RequestService } from './request.service';
-import { RemoteDataBuildService } from '../cache/builders/remote-data-build.service';
-import { GenericConstructor } from '../shared/generic-constructor';
-import { GlobalConfig } from '../../../config';
-import { RESTURLCombiner } from '../url-combiner/rest-url-combiner';
 import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
-import { ResponseCacheEntry } from '../cache/response-cache.reducer';
-import { EndpointMap, RootSuccessResponse } from '../cache/response-cache.models';
+import { GlobalConfig } from '../../../config';
+import { hasValue, isNotEmpty } from '../../shared/empty.util';
+import { RemoteDataBuildService } from '../cache/builders/remote-data-build.service';
+import { CacheableObject } from '../cache/object-cache.reducer';
+import { ResponseCacheService } from '../cache/response-cache.service';
+import { CoreState } from '../core.reducers';
+import { GenericConstructor } from '../shared/generic-constructor';
+import { HALEndpointService } from '../shared/hal-endpoint.service';
+import { RemoteData } from './remote-data';
+import { FindAllOptions, FindAllRequest, FindByIDRequest, RestRequest } from './request.models';
+import { RequestService } from './request.service';
+import { URLCombiner } from '../url-combiner/url-combiner';
 
-export abstract class DataService<TNormalized extends CacheableObject, TDomain> {
+export abstract class DataService<TNormalized extends CacheableObject, TDomain> extends HALEndpointService {
   protected abstract responseCache: ResponseCacheService;
   protected abstract requestService: RequestService;
   protected abstract rdbService: RemoteDataBuildService;
   protected abstract store: Store<CoreState>;
   protected abstract linkName: string;
-  protected abstract browseEndpoint: string;
+  protected abstract EnvConfig: GlobalConfig;
 
   constructor(
-    private normalizedResourceType: GenericConstructor<TNormalized>,
-    protected EnvConfig: GlobalConfig
+    protected normalizedResourceType: GenericConstructor<TNormalized>,
   ) {
-
+    super();
   }
 
-  private getEndpointMap(): Observable<EndpointMap> {
-    const request = new RootEndpointRequest(this.EnvConfig);
-    this.requestService.configure(request);
-    return this.responseCache.get(request.href)
-      .map((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => entry.response)
-      .filter((response: RootSuccessResponse) => isNotEmpty(response) && isNotEmpty(response.endpointMap))
-      .map((response: RootSuccessResponse) => response.endpointMap)
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
-  }
+  public abstract getScopedEndpoint(scope: string): Observable<string>
 
-  public getEndpoint(): Observable<string> {
-    const request = new RootEndpointRequest(this.EnvConfig);
-    this.requestService.configure(request);
-    return this.getEndpointMap()
-      .map((map: EndpointMap) => map[this.linkName])
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
-  }
-
-  public isEnabledOnRestApi(): Observable<boolean> {
-    return this.getEndpointMap()
-      .map((map: EndpointMap) => isNotEmpty(map[this.linkName]))
-      .startWith(undefined)
-      .distinctUntilChanged();
-  }
-
-  protected getFindAllHref(endpoint, options: FindAllOptions = {}): string {
-    let result;
+  protected getFindAllHref(endpoint, options: FindAllOptions = {}): Observable<string> {
+    let result: Observable<string>;
     const args = [];
 
     if (hasValue(options.scopeID)) {
-      result = new RESTURLCombiner(this.EnvConfig, this.browseEndpoint).toString();
-      args.push(`scope=${options.scopeID}`);
+      result = this.getScopedEndpoint(options.scopeID).distinctUntilChanged();
     } else {
-      result = endpoint;
+      result = Observable.of(endpoint);
     }
 
     if (hasValue(options.currentPage) && typeof options.currentPage === 'number') {
@@ -89,16 +57,19 @@ export abstract class DataService<TNormalized extends CacheableObject, TDomain>
     }
 
     if (isNotEmpty(args)) {
-      result = `${result}?${args.join('&')}`;
+      return result.map((href: string) => new URLCombiner(href, `?${args.join('&')}`).toString());
+    } else {
+      return result;
     }
-    return result;
   }
 
-  findAll(options: FindAllOptions = {}): RemoteData<TDomain[]> {
-    const hrefObs = this.getEndpoint()
-      .map((endpoint: string) => this.getFindAllHref(endpoint, options));
+  findAll(options: FindAllOptions = {}): Observable<RemoteData<TDomain[]>> {
+    const hrefObs = this.getEndpoint().filter((href: string) => isNotEmpty(href))
+      .flatMap((endpoint: string) => this.getFindAllHref(endpoint, options));
 
     hrefObs
+      .filter((href: string) => hasValue(href))
+      .take(1)
       .subscribe((href: string) => {
         const request = new FindAllRequest(href, options);
         this.requestService.configure(request);
@@ -107,15 +78,17 @@ export abstract class DataService<TNormalized extends CacheableObject, TDomain>
     return this.rdbService.buildList<TNormalized, TDomain>(hrefObs, this.normalizedResourceType);
   }
 
-  protected getFindByIDHref(endpoint, resourceID): string {
+  getFindByIDHref(endpoint, resourceID): string {
     return `${endpoint}/${resourceID}`;
   }
 
-  findById(id: string): RemoteData<TDomain> {
+  findById(id: string): Observable<RemoteData<TDomain>> {
     const hrefObs = this.getEndpoint()
       .map((endpoint: string) => this.getFindByIDHref(endpoint, id));
 
     hrefObs
+      .filter((href: string) => hasValue(href))
+      .take(1)
       .subscribe((href: string) => {
         const request = new FindByIDRequest(href, id);
         this.requestService.configure(request);
@@ -124,10 +97,9 @@ export abstract class DataService<TNormalized extends CacheableObject, TDomain>
     return this.rdbService.buildSingle<TNormalized, TDomain>(hrefObs, this.normalizedResourceType);
   }
 
-  findByHref(href: string): RemoteData<TDomain> {
+  findByHref(href: string): Observable<RemoteData<TDomain>> {
     this.requestService.configure(new RestRequest(href));
     return this.rdbService.buildSingle<TNormalized, TDomain>(href, this.normalizedResourceType);
-    // return this.rdbService.buildSingle(href));
   }
 
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/item-data.service.spec.ts b/src/app/core/data/item-data.service.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7d610bfaae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/core/data/item-data.service.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+import { Store } from '@ngrx/store';
+import { cold, getTestScheduler } from 'jasmine-marbles';
+import { TestScheduler } from 'rxjs/Rx';
+import { GlobalConfig } from '../../../config/global-config.interface';
+import { BrowseService } from '../browse/browse.service';
+import { RemoteDataBuildService } from '../cache/builders/remote-data-build.service';
+import { ResponseCacheService } from '../cache/response-cache.service';
+import { CoreState } from '../core.reducers';
+import { ItemDataService } from './item-data.service';
+import { RequestService } from './request.service';
+
+describe('ItemDataService', () => {
+  let scheduler: TestScheduler;
+  let service: ItemDataService;
+  let bs: BrowseService;
+
+  const requestService = {} as RequestService;
+  const responseCache = {} as ResponseCacheService;
+  const rdbService = {} as RemoteDataBuildService;
+  const store = {} as Store<CoreState>;
+  const EnvConfig = {} as GlobalConfig;
+
+  const scopeID = '4af28e99-6a9c-4036-a199-e1b587046d39';
+  const browsesEndpoint = 'https://rest.api/discover/browses';
+  const itemBrowseEndpoint = `${browsesEndpoint}/author/items`;
+  const scopedEndpoint = `${itemBrowseEndpoint}?scope=${scopeID}`;
+  const serviceEndpoint = `https://rest.api/core/items`;
+  const browseError = new Error('getBrowseURL failed');
+
+  function initMockBrowseService(isSuccessful: boolean) {
+    const obs = isSuccessful ?
+      cold('--a-', { a: itemBrowseEndpoint }) :
+      cold('--#-', undefined, browseError);
+    return jasmine.createSpyObj('bs', {
+      getBrowseURLFor: obs
+    });
+  }
+
+  function initTestService() {
+    return new ItemDataService(
+      responseCache,
+      requestService,
+      rdbService,
+      store,
+      EnvConfig,
+      bs
+    );
+  }
+
+  describe('getScopedEndpoint', () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      scheduler = getTestScheduler();
+    });
+
+    it('should return the endpoint to fetch Items within the given scope', () => {
+      bs = initMockBrowseService(true);
+      service = initTestService();
+
+      const result = service.getScopedEndpoint(scopeID);
+      const expected = cold('--b-', { b: scopedEndpoint });
+
+      expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+    });
+
+    describe('if the dc.date.issue browse isn\'t configured for items', () => {
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        bs = initMockBrowseService(false);
+        service = initTestService();
+      });
+      it('should throw an error', () => {
+        const result = service.getScopedEndpoint(scopeID);
+        const expected = cold('--#-', undefined, browseError);
+
+        expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+      });
+    });
+
+    describe('if the scope is not specified', () => {
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        bs = initMockBrowseService(true);
+        service = initTestService();
+        spyOn(service, 'getEndpoint').and.returnValue(cold('--b-', { b: serviceEndpoint }))
+      });
+
+      it('should return this.getEndpoint()', () => {
+        const result = service.getScopedEndpoint(undefined);
+        const expected = cold('--c-', { c: serviceEndpoint });
+
+        expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+      });
+    });
+
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/item-data.service.ts b/src/app/core/data/item-data.service.ts
index d155910b4e..7e978e0879 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/item-data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/item-data.service.ts
@@ -1,28 +1,44 @@
 import { Inject, Injectable } from '@angular/core';
 
 import { Store } from '@ngrx/store';
-
-import { DataService } from './data.service';
-import { Item } from '../shared/item.model';
+import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
+import { GLOBAL_CONFIG, GlobalConfig } from '../../../config';
+import { isEmpty, isNotEmpty } from '../../shared/empty.util';
+import { BrowseService } from '../browse/browse.service';
+import { RemoteDataBuildService } from '../cache/builders/remote-data-build.service';
+import { NormalizedItem } from '../cache/models/normalized-item.model';
 import { ResponseCacheService } from '../cache/response-cache.service';
 import { CoreState } from '../core.reducers';
-import { NormalizedItem } from '../cache/models/normalized-item.model';
+import { Item } from '../shared/item.model';
+import { URLCombiner } from '../url-combiner/url-combiner';
+
+import { DataService } from './data.service';
 import { RequestService } from './request.service';
-import { RemoteDataBuildService } from '../cache/builders/remote-data-build.service';
-import { GLOBAL_CONFIG, GlobalConfig } from '../../../config';
 
 @Injectable()
 export class ItemDataService extends DataService<NormalizedItem, Item> {
   protected linkName = 'items';
-  protected browseEndpoint = '/discover/browses/dateissued/items';
 
   constructor(
     protected responseCache: ResponseCacheService,
     protected requestService: RequestService,
     protected rdbService: RemoteDataBuildService,
     protected store: Store<CoreState>,
-    @Inject(GLOBAL_CONFIG) EnvConfig: GlobalConfig
+    @Inject(GLOBAL_CONFIG) protected EnvConfig: GlobalConfig,
+    private bs: BrowseService
   ) {
-    super(NormalizedItem, EnvConfig);
+    super(NormalizedItem);
   }
+
+  public getScopedEndpoint(scopeID: string): Observable<string> {
+    if (isEmpty(scopeID)) {
+      return this.getEndpoint();
+    } else {
+      return this.bs.getBrowseURLFor('dc.date.issued', this.linkName)
+        .filter((href: string) => isNotEmpty(href))
+        .map((href: string) => new URLCombiner(href, `?scope=${scopeID}`).toString())
+        .distinctUntilChanged();
+    }
+  }
+
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/remote-data.ts b/src/app/core/data/remote-data.ts
index b9f58a5567..d8a2f79e66 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/remote-data.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/remote-data.ts
@@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
-import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
-
 import { PageInfo } from '../shared/page-info.model';
+import { hasValue } from '../../shared/empty.util';
 
 export enum RemoteDataState {
-  RequestPending = 'RequestPending' as any,
-  ResponsePending = 'ResponsePending' as any,
-  Failed = 'Failed' as any,
-  Success = 'Success' as any
+  RequestPending = 'RequestPending',
+  ResponsePending = 'ResponsePending',
+  Failed = 'Failed',
+  Success = 'Success'
 }
 
 /**
@@ -14,57 +13,48 @@ export enum RemoteDataState {
  */
 export class RemoteData<T> {
   constructor(
-    public self: Observable<string>,
-    private requestPending: Observable<boolean>,
-    private responsePending: Observable<boolean>,
-    private isSuccessFul: Observable<boolean>,
-    public errorMessage: Observable<string>,
-    public statusCode: Observable<string>,
-    public pageInfo: Observable<PageInfo>,
-    public payload: Observable<T>
+    public self: string,
+    private requestPending: boolean,
+    private responsePending: boolean,
+    private isSuccessFul: boolean,
+    public errorMessage: string,
+    public statusCode: string,
+    public pageInfo: PageInfo,
+    public payload: T
   ) {
   }
 
-  get state(): Observable<RemoteDataState> {
-    return Observable.combineLatest(
-      this.requestPending,
-      this.responsePending,
-      this.isSuccessFul,
-      (requestPending, responsePending, isSuccessFul) => {
-        if (requestPending) {
-          return RemoteDataState.RequestPending
-        } else if (responsePending) {
-          return RemoteDataState.ResponsePending
-        } else if (!isSuccessFul) {
-          return RemoteDataState.Failed
-        } else {
-          return RemoteDataState.Success
-        }
-      }
-    ).distinctUntilChanged();
+  get state(): RemoteDataState {
+    if (this.isSuccessFul === true && hasValue(this.payload)) {
+      return RemoteDataState.Success
+    } else if (this.isSuccessFul === false) {
+      return RemoteDataState.Failed
+    } else if (this.requestPending === true) {
+      return RemoteDataState.RequestPending
+    } else {
+      return RemoteDataState.ResponsePending
+    }
   }
 
-  get isRequestPending(): Observable<boolean> {
-    return this.state.map((state) => state === RemoteDataState.RequestPending).distinctUntilChanged();
+  get isRequestPending(): boolean {
+    return this.state === RemoteDataState.RequestPending;
   }
 
-  get isResponsePending(): Observable<boolean> {
-    return this.state.map((state) => state === RemoteDataState.ResponsePending).distinctUntilChanged();
+  get isResponsePending(): boolean {
+    return this.state === RemoteDataState.ResponsePending;
   }
 
-  get isLoading(): Observable<boolean> {
-    return this.state.map((state) => {
-      return state === RemoteDataState.RequestPending
-        || state === RemoteDataState.ResponsePending
-    }).distinctUntilChanged();
+  get isLoading(): boolean {
+    return this.state === RemoteDataState.RequestPending
+      || this.state === RemoteDataState.ResponsePending;
   }
 
-  get hasFailed(): Observable<boolean> {
-    return this.state.map((state) => state === RemoteDataState.Failed).distinctUntilChanged();
+  get hasFailed(): boolean {
+    return this.state === RemoteDataState.Failed;
   }
 
-  get hasSucceeded(): Observable<boolean> {
-    return this.state.map((state) => state === RemoteDataState.Success).distinctUntilChanged();
+  get hasSucceeded(): boolean {
+    return this.state === RemoteDataState.Success;
   }
 
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/request.models.ts b/src/app/core/data/request.models.ts
index 8c415e71ef..ab3e38d9cd 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/request.models.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/request.models.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { RESTURLCombiner } from '../url-combiner/rest-url-combiner';
 import { DSOResponseParsingService } from './dso-response-parsing.service';
 import { ResponseParsingService } from './parsing.service';
 import { RootResponseParsingService } from './root-response-parsing.service';
+import { BrowseResponseParsingService } from './browse-response-parsing.service';
 
 /* tslint:disable:max-classes-per-file */
 export class RestRequest {
@@ -53,6 +54,16 @@ export class RootEndpointRequest extends RestRequest {
   }
 }
 
+export class BrowseEndpointRequest extends RestRequest {
+  constructor(href: string) {
+    super(href);
+  }
+
+  getResponseParser(): GenericConstructor<ResponseParsingService> {
+    return BrowseResponseParsingService;
+  }
+}
+
 export class RequestError extends Error {
   statusText: string;
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/request.service.ts b/src/app/core/data/request.service.ts
index e6b4f816f1..3036c7be21 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/request.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/request.service.ts
@@ -1,27 +1,35 @@
 import { Injectable } from '@angular/core';
 
-import { MemoizedSelector, Store } from '@ngrx/store';
+import { createSelector, MemoizedSelector, Store } from '@ngrx/store';
 
 import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
 import { hasValue } from '../../shared/empty.util';
 import { CacheableObject } from '../cache/object-cache.reducer';
 import { ObjectCacheService } from '../cache/object-cache.service';
-import { DSOSuccessResponse } from '../cache/response-cache.models';
+import { DSOSuccessResponse, RestResponse } from '../cache/response-cache.models';
 import { ResponseCacheEntry } from '../cache/response-cache.reducer';
 import { ResponseCacheService } from '../cache/response-cache.service';
-import { CoreState } from '../core.reducers';
+import { coreSelector, CoreState } from '../core.reducers';
 import { keySelector } from '../shared/selectors';
 import { RequestConfigureAction, RequestExecuteAction } from './request.actions';
 import { RestRequest } from './request.models';
 
-import { RequestEntry } from './request.reducer';
+import { RequestEntry, RequestState } from './request.reducer';
 
 function entryFromHrefSelector(href: string): MemoizedSelector<CoreState, RequestEntry> {
   return keySelector<RequestEntry>('data/request', href);
 }
 
+export function requestStateSelector(): MemoizedSelector<CoreState, RequestState> {
+  return createSelector(coreSelector, (state: CoreState) => {
+    return state['data/request'] as RequestState;
+  });
+}
+
+
 @Injectable()
 export class RequestService {
+  private requestsOnTheirWayToTheStore: string[] = [];
 
   constructor(
     private objectCache: ObjectCacheService,
@@ -31,6 +39,12 @@ export class RequestService {
   }
 
   isPending(href: string): boolean {
+    // first check requests that haven't made it to the store yet
+    if (this.requestsOnTheirWayToTheStore.includes(href)) {
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    // then check the store
     let isPending = false;
     this.store.select(entryFromHrefSelector(href))
       .take(1)
@@ -47,16 +61,19 @@ export class RequestService {
 
   configure<T extends CacheableObject>(request: RestRequest): void {
     let isCached = this.objectCache.hasBySelfLink(request.href);
-
     if (!isCached && this.responseCache.has(request.href)) {
-      const [dsoSuccessResponse, otherSuccessResponse] = this.responseCache.get(request.href)
+      const [successResponse, errorResponse] = this.responseCache.get(request.href)
         .take(1)
-        .filter((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => entry.response.isSuccessful)
         .map((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => entry.response)
+        .share()
+        .partition((response: RestResponse) => response.isSuccessful);
+
+      const [dsoSuccessResponse, otherSuccessResponse] = successResponse
         .share()
         .partition((response: DSOSuccessResponse) => hasValue(response.resourceSelfLinks));
 
       Observable.merge(
+        errorResponse.map(() => true), // TODO add a configurable number of retries in case of an error.
         otherSuccessResponse.map(() => true),
         dsoSuccessResponse // a DSOSuccessResponse should only be considered cached if all its resources are cached
           .map((response: DSOSuccessResponse) => response.resourceSelfLinks)
@@ -71,6 +88,24 @@ export class RequestService {
     if (!(isCached || isPending)) {
       this.store.dispatch(new RequestConfigureAction(request));
       this.store.dispatch(new RequestExecuteAction(request.href));
+      this.trackRequestsOnTheirWayToTheStore(request.href);
     }
   }
+
+  /**
+   * ngrx action dispatches are asynchronous. But this.isPending needs to return true as soon as the
+   * configure method for a request has been executed, otherwise certain requests will happen multiple times.
+   *
+   * This method will store the href of every request that gets configured in a local variable, and
+   * remove it as soon as it can be found in the store.
+   */
+  private trackRequestsOnTheirWayToTheStore(href: string) {
+    this.requestsOnTheirWayToTheStore = [...this.requestsOnTheirWayToTheStore, href];
+    this.store.select(entryFromHrefSelector(href))
+      .filter((re: RequestEntry) => hasValue(re))
+      .take(1)
+      .subscribe((re: RequestEntry) => {
+        this.requestsOnTheirWayToTheStore = this.requestsOnTheirWayToTheStore.filter((pendingHref: string) => pendingHref !== href)
+      });
+  }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/root-response-parsing.service.ts b/src/app/core/data/root-response-parsing.service.ts
index 016a501685..a3e7fc22a3 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/root-response-parsing.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/root-response-parsing.service.ts
@@ -19,12 +19,7 @@ export class RootResponseParsingService implements ResponseParsingService {
     if (isNotEmpty(data.payload) && isNotEmpty(data.payload._links)) {
       const links = data.payload._links;
       for (const link of Object.keys(links)) {
-        let href = links[link].href;
-        // TODO temporary workaround as these endpoint paths are relative, but should be absolute
-        if (isNotEmpty(href) && !href.startsWith('http')) {
-          href = new RESTURLCombiner(this.EnvConfig, href.substring(this.EnvConfig.rest.nameSpace.length)).toString();
-        }
-        links[link] = href;
+        links[link] = links[link].href;
       }
       return new RootSuccessResponse(links, data.statusCode);
     } else {
diff --git a/src/app/core/metadata/metadata.service.spec.ts b/src/app/core/metadata/metadata.service.spec.ts
index 1258751f58..4c8775fcfb 100644
--- a/src/app/core/metadata/metadata.service.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/metadata/metadata.service.spec.ts
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ import { Item } from '../../core/shared/item.model';
 
 import { MockItem } from '../../shared/mocks/mock-item';
 import { MockTranslateLoader } from '../../shared/mocks/mock-translate-loader';
+import { BrowseService } from '../browse/browse.service';
+import { PageInfo } from '../shared/page-info.model';
 
 /* tslint:disable:max-classes-per-file */
 @Component({
@@ -111,6 +113,7 @@ describe('MetadataService', () => {
         Meta,
         Title,
         ItemDataService,
+        BrowseService,
         MetadataService
       ],
       schemas: [CUSTOM_ELEMENTS_SCHEMA]
@@ -173,33 +176,17 @@ describe('MetadataService', () => {
     expect(tagStore.get('description')[0].content).toEqual('This is a dummy item component for testing!');
   }));
 
-  const mockRemoteData = (mockItem: Item): RemoteData<Item> => {
-    return new RemoteData<Item>(
-      Observable.create((observer) => {
-        observer.next('');
-      }),
-      Observable.create((observer) => {
-        observer.next(false);
-      }),
-      Observable.create((observer) => {
-        observer.next(false);
-      }),
-      Observable.create((observer) => {
-        observer.next(true);
-      }),
-      Observable.create((observer) => {
-        observer.next('');
-      }),
-      Observable.create((observer) => {
-        observer.next(200);
-      }),
-      Observable.create((observer) => {
-        observer.next({});
-      }),
-      Observable.create((observer) => {
-        observer.next(MockItem);
-      })
-    );
+  const mockRemoteData = (mockItem: Item): Observable<RemoteData<Item>> => {
+    return Observable.of(new RemoteData<Item>(
+      '',
+      false,
+      false,
+      true,
+      '',
+      '200',
+      {} as PageInfo,
+      MockItem
+    ));
   }
 
   const mockType = (mockItem: Item, type: string): Item => {
diff --git a/src/app/core/metadata/metadata.service.ts b/src/app/core/metadata/metadata.service.ts
index 32b002e721..39fb454ac5 100644
--- a/src/app/core/metadata/metadata.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/metadata/metadata.service.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ import { Item } from '../shared/item.model';
 import { Metadatum } from '../shared/metadatum.model';
 
 import { GLOBAL_CONFIG, GlobalConfig } from '../../../config';
+import { BitstreamFormat } from '../shared/bitstream-format.model';
+import { hasValue } from '../../shared/empty.util';
 
 @Injectable()
 export class MetadataService {
@@ -64,13 +66,16 @@ export class MetadataService {
       });
   }
 
-  public processRemoteData(remoteData: RemoteData<CacheableObject>): void {
-    remoteData.payload.take(1).subscribe((dspaceObject: DSpaceObject) => {
-      if (!this.initialized) {
-        this.initialize(dspaceObject);
-      }
-      this.currentObject.next(dspaceObject);
-    });
+  public processRemoteData(remoteData: Observable<RemoteData<CacheableObject>>): void {
+    remoteData.map((rd: RemoteData<CacheableObject>) => rd.payload)
+      .filter((co: CacheableObject) => hasValue(co))
+      .take(1)
+      .subscribe((dspaceObject: DSpaceObject) => {
+        if (!this.initialized) {
+          this.initialize(dspaceObject);
+        }
+        this.currentObject.next(dspaceObject);
+      });
   }
 
   private processRouteChange(routeInfo: any): void {
@@ -268,11 +273,14 @@ export class MetadataService {
       // taking only two, fist one is empty array
       item.getFiles().take(2).subscribe((bitstreams: Bitstream[]) => {
         for (const bitstream of bitstreams) {
-          bitstream.format.payload.take(1).subscribe((format) => {
-            if (format.mimetype === 'application/pdf') {
-              this.addMetaTag('citation_pdf_url', bitstream.content);
-            }
-          });
+          bitstream.format.take(1)
+            .map((rd: RemoteData<BitstreamFormat>) => rd.payload)
+            .filter((format: BitstreamFormat) => hasValue(format))
+            .subscribe((format: BitstreamFormat) => {
+              if (format.mimetype === 'application/pdf') {
+                this.addMetaTag('citation_pdf_url', bitstream.content);
+              }
+            });
         }
       });
     }
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/bitstream.model.ts b/src/app/core/shared/bitstream.model.ts
index 0b77a7b032..511c2c5cd2 100644
--- a/src/app/core/shared/bitstream.model.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/bitstream.model.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { DSpaceObject } from './dspace-object.model';
 import { RemoteData } from '../data/remote-data';
 import { Item } from './item.model';
 import { BitstreamFormat } from './bitstream-format.model';
+import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
 
 export class Bitstream extends DSpaceObject {
 
@@ -23,17 +24,17 @@ export class Bitstream extends DSpaceObject {
   /**
    * An array of Bitstream Format of this Bitstream
    */
-  format: RemoteData<BitstreamFormat>;
+  format: Observable<RemoteData<BitstreamFormat>>;
 
   /**
    * An array of Items that are direct parents of this Bitstream
    */
-  parents: RemoteData<Item[]>;
+  parents: Observable<RemoteData<Item[]>>;
 
   /**
    * The Bundle that owns this Bitstream
    */
-  owner: RemoteData<Item>;
+  owner: Observable<RemoteData<Item>>;
 
   /**
    * The URL to retrieve this Bitstream's file
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/browse-definition.model.ts b/src/app/core/shared/browse-definition.model.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bdb91167b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/browse-definition.model.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+import { autoserialize, autoserializeAs } from 'cerialize';
+import { SortOption } from './sort-option.model';
+
+export class BrowseDefinition {
+  @autoserialize
+  metadataBrowse: boolean;
+
+  @autoserialize
+  sortOptions: SortOption[];
+
+  @autoserializeAs('order')
+  defaultSortOrder: string;
+
+  @autoserialize
+  type: string;
+
+  @autoserializeAs('metadata')
+  metadataKeys: string[];
+
+  @autoserialize
+  _links: {
+    [name: string]: string
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/bundle.model.ts b/src/app/core/shared/bundle.model.ts
index 798b7c402c..9a8afb2661 100644
--- a/src/app/core/shared/bundle.model.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/bundle.model.ts
@@ -2,23 +2,24 @@ import { DSpaceObject } from './dspace-object.model';
 import { Bitstream } from './bitstream.model';
 import { Item } from './item.model';
 import { RemoteData } from '../data/remote-data';
+import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
 
 export class Bundle extends DSpaceObject {
   /**
    * The primary bitstream of this Bundle
    */
-  primaryBitstream: RemoteData<Bitstream>;
+  primaryBitstream: Observable<RemoteData<Bitstream>>;
 
   /**
    * An array of Items that are direct parents of this Bundle
    */
-  parents: RemoteData<Item[]>;
+  parents: Observable<RemoteData<Item[]>>;
 
   /**
    * The Item that owns this Bundle
    */
-  owner: RemoteData<Item>;
+  owner: Observable<RemoteData<Item>>;
 
-  bitstreams: RemoteData<Bitstream[]>
+  bitstreams: Observable<RemoteData<Bitstream[]>>
 
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/collection.model.ts b/src/app/core/shared/collection.model.ts
index 207837ef04..b2f8d90a65 100644
--- a/src/app/core/shared/collection.model.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/collection.model.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { DSpaceObject } from './dspace-object.model';
 import { Bitstream } from './bitstream.model';
 import { Item } from './item.model';
 import { RemoteData } from '../data/remote-data';
+import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
 
 export class Collection extends DSpaceObject {
 
@@ -53,18 +54,18 @@ export class Collection extends DSpaceObject {
   /**
    * The Bitstream that represents the logo of this Collection
    */
-  logo: RemoteData<Bitstream>;
+  logo: Observable<RemoteData<Bitstream>>;
 
   /**
    * An array of Collections that are direct parents of this Collection
    */
-  parents: RemoteData<Collection[]>;
+  parents: Observable<RemoteData<Collection[]>>;
 
   /**
    * The Collection that owns this Collection
    */
-  owner: RemoteData<Collection>;
+  owner: Observable<RemoteData<Collection>>;
 
-  items: RemoteData<Item[]>;
+  items: Observable<RemoteData<Item[]>>;
 
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/community.model.ts b/src/app/core/shared/community.model.ts
index afe9fd734e..c34666b0f0 100644
--- a/src/app/core/shared/community.model.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/community.model.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { DSpaceObject } from './dspace-object.model';
 import { Bitstream } from './bitstream.model';
 import { Collection } from './collection.model';
 import { RemoteData } from '../data/remote-data';
+import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
 
 export class Community extends DSpaceObject {
 
@@ -45,18 +46,18 @@ export class Community extends DSpaceObject {
   /**
    * The Bitstream that represents the logo of this Community
    */
-  logo: RemoteData<Bitstream>;
+  logo: Observable<RemoteData<Bitstream>>;
 
   /**
    * An array of Communities that are direct parents of this Community
    */
-  parents: RemoteData<DSpaceObject[]>;
+  parents: Observable<RemoteData<DSpaceObject[]>>;
 
   /**
    * The Community that owns this Community
    */
-  owner: RemoteData<Community>;
+  owner: Observable<RemoteData<Community>>;
 
-  collections: RemoteData<Collection[]>;
+  collections: Observable<RemoteData<Collection[]>>;
 
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/dspace-object.model.ts b/src/app/core/shared/dspace-object.model.ts
index 8584c179dc..572efecada 100644
--- a/src/app/core/shared/dspace-object.model.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/dspace-object.model.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { CacheableObject } from '../cache/object-cache.reducer';
 import { RemoteData } from '../data/remote-data';
 import { ResourceType } from './resource-type';
 import { ListableObject } from '../../object-list/listable-object/listable-object.model';
+import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
 
 /**
  * An abstract model class for a DSpaceObject.
@@ -40,12 +41,12 @@ export abstract class DSpaceObject implements CacheableObject, ListableObject {
   /**
    * An array of DSpaceObjects that are direct parents of this DSpaceObject
    */
-  parents: RemoteData<DSpaceObject[]>;
+  parents: Observable<RemoteData<DSpaceObject[]>>;
 
   /**
    * The DSpaceObject that owns this DSpaceObject
    */
-  owner: RemoteData<DSpaceObject>;
+  owner: Observable<RemoteData<DSpaceObject>>;
 
   /**
    * Find a metadata field by key and language
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/hal-endpoint.service.spec.ts b/src/app/core/shared/hal-endpoint.service.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f7adc1eccf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/hal-endpoint.service.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+import { cold, hot } from 'jasmine-marbles';
+import { GlobalConfig } from '../../../config/global-config.interface';
+import { ResponseCacheService } from '../cache/response-cache.service';
+import { RootEndpointRequest } from '../data/request.models';
+import { RequestService } from '../data/request.service';
+import { HALEndpointService } from './hal-endpoint.service';
+
+describe('HALEndpointService', () => {
+  let service: HALEndpointService;
+  let responseCache: ResponseCacheService;
+  let requestService: RequestService;
+  let envConfig: GlobalConfig;
+
+  const endpointMap = {
+    test: 'https://rest.api/test',
+  };
+
+  /* tslint:disable:no-shadowed-variable */
+  class TestService extends HALEndpointService {
+    protected linkName = 'test';
+
+    constructor(protected responseCache: ResponseCacheService,
+                protected requestService: RequestService,
+                protected EnvConfig: GlobalConfig) {
+      super();
+    }
+  }
+
+  /* tslint:enable:no-shadowed-variable */
+
+  describe('getEndpointMap', () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      responseCache = jasmine.createSpyObj('responseCache', {
+        get: hot('--a-', {
+          a: {
+            response: { endpointMap: endpointMap }
+          }
+        })
+      });
+
+      requestService = jasmine.createSpyObj('requestService', ['configure']);
+
+      envConfig = {
+        rest: { baseUrl: 'https://rest.api/' }
+      } as any;
+
+      service = new TestService(
+        responseCache,
+        requestService,
+        envConfig
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should configure a new RootEndpointRequest', () => {
+      (service as any).getEndpointMap();
+      const expected = new RootEndpointRequest(envConfig);
+      expect(requestService.configure).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expected);
+    });
+
+    it('should return an Observable of the endpoint map', () => {
+      const result = (service as any).getEndpointMap();
+      const expected = cold('--b-', { b: endpointMap });
+      expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+    });
+
+  });
+
+  describe('getEndpoint', () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      service = new TestService(
+        responseCache,
+        requestService,
+        envConfig
+      );
+
+      spyOn(service as any, 'getEndpointMap').and
+        .returnValue(hot('--a-', { a: endpointMap }));
+    });
+
+    it('should return the endpoint URL for the service\'s linkName', () => {
+      const result = service.getEndpoint();
+      const expected = cold('--b-', { b: endpointMap.test });
+      expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+    });
+
+    it('should return undefined for a linkName that isn\'t in the endpoint map', () => {
+      (service as any).linkName = 'unknown';
+      const result = service.getEndpoint();
+      const expected = cold('--b-', { b: undefined });
+      expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+    });
+
+  });
+
+  describe('isEnabledOnRestApi', () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      service = new TestService(
+        responseCache,
+        requestService,
+        envConfig
+      );
+
+    });
+
+    it('should return undefined as long as getEndpointMap hasn\'t fired', () => {
+      spyOn(service as any, 'getEndpointMap').and
+        .returnValue(hot('----'));
+
+      const result = service.isEnabledOnRestApi();
+      const expected = cold('b---', { b: undefined });
+      expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+    });
+
+    it('should return true if the service\'s linkName is in the endpoint map', () => {
+      spyOn(service as any, 'getEndpointMap').and
+        .returnValue(hot('--a-', { a: endpointMap }));
+
+      const result = service.isEnabledOnRestApi();
+      const expected = cold('b-c-', { b: undefined, c: true });
+      expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+    });
+
+    it('should return false if the service\'s linkName isn\'t in the endpoint map', () => {
+      spyOn(service as any, 'getEndpointMap').and
+        .returnValue(hot('--a-', { a: endpointMap }));
+
+      (service as any).linkName = 'unknown';
+      const result = service.isEnabledOnRestApi();
+      const expected = cold('b-c-', { b: undefined, c: false  });
+      expect(result).toBeObservable(expected);
+    });
+
+  });
+
+});
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/hal-endpoint.service.ts b/src/app/core/shared/hal-endpoint.service.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fa11fed308
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/hal-endpoint.service.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
+import { RequestService } from '../data/request.service';
+import { ResponseCacheService } from '../cache/response-cache.service';
+import { GlobalConfig } from '../../../config/global-config.interface';
+import { EndpointMap, RootSuccessResponse } from '../cache/response-cache.models';
+import { RootEndpointRequest } from '../data/request.models';
+import { ResponseCacheEntry } from '../cache/response-cache.reducer';
+import { isNotEmpty } from '../../shared/empty.util';
+
+export abstract class HALEndpointService {
+  protected abstract responseCache: ResponseCacheService;
+  protected abstract requestService: RequestService;
+  protected abstract linkName: string;
+  protected abstract EnvConfig: GlobalConfig;
+
+  protected getEndpointMap(): Observable<EndpointMap> {
+    const request = new RootEndpointRequest(this.EnvConfig);
+    this.requestService.configure(request);
+    return this.responseCache.get(request.href)
+      .map((entry: ResponseCacheEntry) => entry.response)
+      .filter((response: RootSuccessResponse) => isNotEmpty(response) && isNotEmpty(response.endpointMap))
+      .map((response: RootSuccessResponse) => response.endpointMap)
+      .distinctUntilChanged();
+  }
+
+  public getEndpoint(): Observable<string> {
+    return this.getEndpointMap()
+      .map((map: EndpointMap) => map[this.linkName])
+      .distinctUntilChanged();
+  }
+
+  public isEnabledOnRestApi(): Observable<boolean> {
+    return this.getEndpointMap()
+      .map((map: EndpointMap) => isNotEmpty(map[this.linkName]))
+      .startWith(undefined)
+      .distinctUntilChanged();
+  }
+
+}
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/item.model.spec.ts b/src/app/core/shared/item.model.spec.ts
index 0c89828c9e..1e962f7038 100644
--- a/src/app/core/shared/item.model.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/item.model.spec.ts
@@ -103,23 +103,15 @@ describe('Item', () => {
 });
 
 function createRemoteDataObject(object: any) {
-  const self = Observable.of('');
-  const requestPending = Observable.of(false);
-  const responsePending = Observable.of(false);
-  const isSuccessful = Observable.of(true);
-  const errorMessage = Observable.of(undefined);
-  const statusCode = Observable.of('200');
-  const pageInfo = Observable.of(new PageInfo());
-  const payload = Observable.of(object);
-  return new RemoteData(
-    self,
-    requestPending,
-    responsePending,
-    isSuccessful,
-    errorMessage,
-    statusCode,
-    pageInfo,
-    payload
-  );
+  return Observable.of(new RemoteData(
+    '',
+    false,
+    false,
+    true,
+    undefined,
+    '200',
+    new PageInfo(),
+    object
+  ));
 
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/item.model.ts b/src/app/core/shared/item.model.ts
index 16cce9b610..dd60ad9b01 100644
--- a/src/app/core/shared/item.model.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/item.model.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { DSpaceObject } from './dspace-object.model';
 import { Collection } from './collection.model';
 import { RemoteData } from '../data/remote-data';
 import { Bitstream } from './bitstream.model';
-import { isNotEmpty } from '../../shared/empty.util';
+import { hasValue, isNotEmpty } from '../../shared/empty.util';
 
 export class Item extends DSpaceObject {
 
@@ -36,18 +36,18 @@ export class Item extends DSpaceObject {
   /**
    * An array of Collections that are direct parents of this Item
    */
-  parents: RemoteData<Collection[]>;
+  parents: Observable<RemoteData<Collection[]>>;
 
   /**
    * The Collection that owns this Item
    */
-  owningCollection: RemoteData<Collection>;
+  owningCollection: Observable<RemoteData<Collection>>;
 
-  get owner(): RemoteData<Collection> {
+  get owner(): Observable<RemoteData<Collection>> {
     return this.owningCollection;
   }
 
-  bitstreams: RemoteData<Bitstream[]>;
+  bitstreams: Observable<RemoteData<Bitstream[]>>;
 
   /**
    * Retrieves the thumbnail of this item
@@ -87,9 +87,14 @@ export class Item extends DSpaceObject {
    * @returns {Observable<Bitstream[]>} the bitstreams with the given bundleName
    */
   getBitstreamsByBundleName(bundleName: string): Observable<Bitstream[]> {
-    return this.bitstreams.payload.startWith([])
+    return this.bitstreams
+      .map((rd: RemoteData<Bitstream[]>) => rd.payload)
+      .filter((bitstreams: Bitstream[]) => hasValue(bitstreams))
+      .startWith([])
       .map((bitstreams) => {
-        return bitstreams.filter((bitstream) => bitstream.bundleName === bundleName)
+        return bitstreams
+          .filter((bitstream) => hasValue(bitstream))
+          .filter((bitstream) => bitstream.bundleName === bundleName)
       });
   }
 
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/resource-type.ts b/src/app/core/shared/resource-type.ts
index 15e707b016..f3554e18cf 100644
--- a/src/app/core/shared/resource-type.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/resource-type.ts
@@ -3,10 +3,10 @@
  * https://github.com/Microsoft/TypeScript/pull/15486
  */
 export enum ResourceType {
-  Bundle = 'bundle' as any,
-  Bitstream = 'bitstream' as any,
-  BitstreamFormat = 'bitstreamformat' as any,
-  Item = 'item' as any,
-  Collection = 'collection' as any,
-  Community = 'community' as any,
+  Bundle = 'bundle',
+  Bitstream = 'bitstream',
+  BitstreamFormat = 'bitstreamformat',
+  Item = 'item',
+  Collection = 'collection',
+  Community = 'community',
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/sort-option.model.ts b/src/app/core/shared/sort-option.model.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c735e87b9a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/sort-option.model.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+import { autoserialize } from 'cerialize';
+
+export class SortOption {
+  @autoserialize
+  name: string;
+
+  @autoserialize
+  metadata: string;
+}
diff --git a/src/app/object-list/object-list.component.html b/src/app/object-list/object-list.component.html
index 84c800fef4..b97524d58c 100644
--- a/src/app/object-list/object-list.component.html
+++ b/src/app/object-list/object-list.component.html
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <ds-pagination
   [paginationOptions]="config"
   [pageInfoState]="pageInfo"
-  [collectionSize]="(pageInfo | async)?.totalElements"
+  [collectionSize]="pageInfo?.totalElements"
   [sortOptions]="sortConfig"
   [hideGear]="hideGear"
   [hidePagerWhenSinglePage]="hidePagerWhenSinglePage"
@@ -10,11 +10,9 @@
   (sortDirectionChange)="onSortDirectionChange($event)"
   (sortFieldChange)="onSortDirectionChange($event)"
   (paginationChange)="onPaginationChange($event)">
-  <ul *ngIf="objects.hasSucceeded | async" @fadeIn> <!--class="list-unstyled"-->
-      <li *ngFor="let object of (objects.payload | async) | paginate: { itemsPerPage: (pageInfo | async)?.elementsPerPage, currentPage: (pageInfo | async)?.currentPage, totalItems: (pageInfo | async)?.totalElements }">
+  <ul *ngIf="objects?.hasSucceeded"> <!--class="list-unstyled"-->
+      <li *ngFor="let object of objects?.payload">
           <ds-wrapper-list-element [object]="object"></ds-wrapper-list-element>
       </li>
   </ul>
-  <ds-error *ngIf="objects.hasFailed | async" message="{{'error.objects' | translate}}"></ds-error>
-  <ds-loading *ngIf="objects.isLoading | async" message="{{'loading.objects' | translate}}"></ds-loading>
 </ds-pagination>
diff --git a/src/app/object-list/object-list.component.ts b/src/app/object-list/object-list.component.ts
index c3a42a2e2a..0f7decadd7 100644
--- a/src/app/object-list/object-list.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/object-list/object-list.component.ts
@@ -1,24 +1,22 @@
 import {
+  ChangeDetectionStrategy,
   Component,
   EventEmitter,
   Input,
-  ViewEncapsulation,
-  ChangeDetectionStrategy,
-  OnInit,
-  Output, SimpleChanges, OnChanges, ChangeDetectorRef, DoCheck
+  Output,
+  ViewEncapsulation
 } from '@angular/core';
 
-import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
+import { SortDirection, SortOptions } from '../core/cache/models/sort-options.model';
 
 import { RemoteData } from '../core/data/remote-data';
 import { PageInfo } from '../core/shared/page-info.model';
-
-import { PaginationComponentOptions } from '../shared/pagination/pagination-component-options.model';
-
-import { SortOptions, SortDirection } from '../core/cache/models/sort-options.model';
 import { ListableObject } from '../object-list/listable-object/listable-object.model';
 
 import { fadeIn } from '../shared/animations/fade';
+import { hasValue } from '../shared/empty.util';
+
+import { PaginationComponentOptions } from '../shared/pagination/pagination-component-options.model';
 
 @Component({
   changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.Default,
@@ -28,14 +26,35 @@ import { fadeIn } from '../shared/animations/fade';
   templateUrl: './object-list.component.html',
   animations: [fadeIn]
 })
-export class ObjectListComponent implements OnChanges, OnInit {
+export class ObjectListComponent {
 
-  @Input() objects: RemoteData<ListableObject[]>;
   @Input() config: PaginationComponentOptions;
   @Input() sortConfig: SortOptions;
   @Input() hideGear = false;
   @Input() hidePagerWhenSinglePage = true;
-  pageInfo: Observable<PageInfo>;
+  private _objects: RemoteData<ListableObject[]>;
+  pageInfo: PageInfo;
+  @Input() set objects(objects: RemoteData<ListableObject[]>) {
+    this._objects = objects;
+    if (hasValue(objects)) {
+      this.pageInfo = objects.pageInfo;
+    }
+  }
+  get objects() {
+    return this._objects;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * An event fired when the page is changed.
+   * Event's payload equals to the newly selected page.
+   */
+  @Output() change: EventEmitter<{
+    pagination: PaginationComponentOptions,
+    sort: SortOptions
+  }> = new EventEmitter<{
+    pagination: PaginationComponentOptions,
+    sort: SortOptions
+  }>();
 
   /**
    * An event fired when the page is changed.
@@ -64,26 +83,6 @@ export class ObjectListComponent implements OnChanges, OnInit {
   @Output() sortFieldChange: EventEmitter<string> = new EventEmitter<string>();
   data: any = {};
 
-  ngOnChanges(changes: SimpleChanges) {
-    if (changes.objects && !changes.objects.isFirstChange()) {
-      this.pageInfo = this.objects.pageInfo;
-    }
-  }
-
-  ngOnInit(): void {
-    this.pageInfo = this.objects.pageInfo;
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * @param route
-   *    Route is a singleton service provided by Angular.
-   * @param router
-   *    Router is a singleton service provided by Angular.
-   */
-  constructor(
-    private cdRef: ChangeDetectorRef) {
-  }
-
   onPageChange(event) {
     this.pageChange.emit(event);
   }
diff --git a/src/app/pagenotfound/pagenotfound.component.ts b/src/app/pagenotfound/pagenotfound.component.ts
index 762a4000a1..bd119a4de9 100644
--- a/src/app/pagenotfound/pagenotfound.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/pagenotfound/pagenotfound.component.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import { Component, ChangeDetectionStrategy } from '@angular/core';
   selector: 'ds-pagenotfound',
   styleUrls: ['./pagenotfound.component.scss'],
   templateUrl: './pagenotfound.component.html',
-  changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush
+  changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.Default
 })
 export class PageNotFoundComponent {
   constructor(responseService: ServerResponseService) {
diff --git a/src/app/shared/animations/fade.ts b/src/app/shared/animations/fade.ts
index e5272cc123..09a0be66ba 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/animations/fade.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/animations/fade.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { animate, state, transition, trigger, style, keyframes } from '@angular/animations';
+import { animate, style, transition, trigger } from '@angular/animations';
 
 const fadeEnter =  transition(':enter', [
   style({ opacity: 0 }),
diff --git a/src/app/shared/mocks/mock-item.ts b/src/app/shared/mocks/mock-item.ts
index 0331491aa0..6b34a31888 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/mocks/mock-item.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/mocks/mock-item.ts
@@ -9,141 +9,87 @@ export const MockItem: Item = Object.assign(new Item(), {
   isArchived: true,
   isDiscoverable: true,
   isWithdrawn: false,
-  bitstreams: {
-    self: {
-      _isScalar: true,
-      value: '1507836003548',
-      scheduler: null
-    },
-    requestPending: Observable.create((observer) => {
-      observer.next(false);
-    }),
-    responsePending: Observable.create((observer) => {
-      observer.next(false);
-    }),
-    isSuccessFul: Observable.create((observer) => {
-      observer.next(true);
-    }),
-    errorMessage: Observable.create((observer) => {
-      observer.next('');
-    }),
-    statusCode: Observable.create((observer) => {
-      observer.next(202);
-    }),
-    pageInfo: Observable.create((observer) => {
-      observer.next({});
-    }),
-    payload: Observable.create((observer) => {
-      observer.next([
-        {
-          sizeBytes: 10201,
-          content: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/bitstreams/cf9b0c8e-a1eb-4b65-afd0-567366448713/content',
-          format: {
-            self: {
-              _isScalar: true,
-              value: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/bitstreamformats/10',
-              scheduler: null
-            },
-            requestPending: Observable.create((observer) => {
-              observer.next(false);
-            }),
-            responsePending: Observable.create((observer) => {
-              observer.next(false);
-            }),
-            isSuccessFul: Observable.create((observer) => {
-              observer.next(true);
-            }),
-            errorMessage: Observable.create((observer) => {
-              observer.next('');
-            }),
-            statusCode: Observable.create((observer) => {
-              observer.next(202);
-            }),
-            pageInfo: Observable.create((observer) => {
-              observer.next({});
-            }),
-            payload: Observable.create((observer) => {
-              observer.next({
-                shortDescription: 'Microsoft Word XML',
-                description: 'Microsoft Word XML',
-                mimetype: 'application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document',
-                supportLevel: 0,
-                internal: false,
-                extensions: null,
-                self: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/bitstreamformats/10'
-              });
-            })
-          },
-          bundleName: 'ORIGINAL',
-          self: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/bitstreams/cf9b0c8e-a1eb-4b65-afd0-567366448713',
-          id: 'cf9b0c8e-a1eb-4b65-afd0-567366448713',
-          uuid: 'cf9b0c8e-a1eb-4b65-afd0-567366448713',
-          type: 'bitstream',
-          name: 'test_word.docx',
-          metadata: [
-            {
-              key: 'dc.title',
-              language: null,
-              value: 'test_word.docx'
-            }
-          ]
-        },
-        {
-          sizeBytes: 31302,
-          content: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/bitstreams/99b00f3c-1cc6-4689-8158-91965bee6b28/content',
-          format: {
-            self: {
-              _isScalar: true,
-              value: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/bitstreamformats/4',
-              scheduler: null
-            },
-            requestPending: Observable.create((observer) => {
-              observer.next(false);
-            }),
-            responsePending: Observable.create((observer) => {
-              observer.next(false);
-            }),
-            isSuccessFul: Observable.create((observer) => {
-              observer.next(true);
-            }),
-            errorMessage: Observable.create((observer) => {
-              observer.next('');
-            }),
-            statusCode: Observable.create((observer) => {
-              observer.next(202);
-            }),
-            pageInfo: Observable.create((observer) => {
-              observer.next({});
-            }),
-            payload: Observable.create((observer) => {
-              observer.next({
-                shortDescription: 'Adobe PDF',
-                description: 'Adobe Portable Document Format',
-                mimetype: 'application/pdf',
-                supportLevel: 0,
-                internal: false,
-                extensions: null,
-                self: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/bitstreamformats/4'
-              });
-            })
-          },
-          bundleName: 'ORIGINAL',
-          self: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/bitstreams/99b00f3c-1cc6-4689-8158-91965bee6b28',
-          id: '99b00f3c-1cc6-4689-8158-91965bee6b28',
-          uuid: '99b00f3c-1cc6-4689-8158-91965bee6b28',
-          type: 'bitstream',
-          name: 'test_pdf.pdf',
-          metadata: [
-            {
-              key: 'dc.title',
-              language: null,
-              value: 'test_pdf.pdf'
-            }
-          ]
-        }
-      ]);
-    })
-  },
+  bitstreams: Observable.of({
+    self: 'dspace-angular://aggregated/object/1507836003548',
+    requestPending: false,
+    responsePending: false,
+    isSuccessFul: true,
+    errorMessage: '',
+    statusCode: '202',
+    pageInfo: {},
+    payload: [
+      {
+        sizeBytes: 10201,
+        content: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/bitstreams/cf9b0c8e-a1eb-4b65-afd0-567366448713/content',
+        format: Observable.of({
+          self: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/bitstreamformats/10',
+          requestPending: false,
+          responsePending: false,
+          isSuccessFul: true,
+          errorMessage: '',
+          statusCode: '202',
+          pageInfo: {},
+          payload: {
+            shortDescription: 'Microsoft Word XML',
+            description: 'Microsoft Word XML',
+            mimetype: 'application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document',
+            supportLevel: 0,
+            internal: false,
+            extensions: null,
+            self: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/bitstreamformats/10'
+          }
+        }),
+        bundleName: 'ORIGINAL',
+        self: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/bitstreams/cf9b0c8e-a1eb-4b65-afd0-567366448713',
+        id: 'cf9b0c8e-a1eb-4b65-afd0-567366448713',
+        uuid: 'cf9b0c8e-a1eb-4b65-afd0-567366448713',
+        type: 'bitstream',
+        name: 'test_word.docx',
+        metadata: [
+          {
+            key: 'dc.title',
+            language: null,
+            value: 'test_word.docx'
+          }
+        ]
+      },
+      {
+        sizeBytes: 31302,
+        content: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/bitstreams/99b00f3c-1cc6-4689-8158-91965bee6b28/content',
+        format: Observable.of({
+          self: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/bitstreamformats/4',
+          requestPending: false,
+          responsePending: false,
+          isSuccessFul: true,
+          errorMessage: '',
+          statusCode: '202',
+          pageInfo: {},
+          payload: {
+            shortDescription: 'Adobe PDF',
+            description: 'Adobe Portable Document Format',
+            mimetype: 'application/pdf',
+            supportLevel: 0,
+            internal: false,
+            extensions: null,
+            self: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/bitstreamformats/4'
+          }
+        }),
+        bundleName: 'ORIGINAL',
+        self: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/bitstreams/99b00f3c-1cc6-4689-8158-91965bee6b28',
+        id: '99b00f3c-1cc6-4689-8158-91965bee6b28',
+        uuid: '99b00f3c-1cc6-4689-8158-91965bee6b28',
+        type: 'bitstream',
+        name: 'test_pdf.pdf',
+        metadata: [
+          {
+            key: 'dc.title',
+            language: null,
+            value: 'test_pdf.pdf'
+          }
+        ]
+      }
+    ]
+  }),
   self: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/items/0ec7ff22-f211-40ab-a69e-c819b0b1f357',
   id: '0ec7ff22-f211-40ab-a69e-c819b0b1f357',
   uuid: '0ec7ff22-f211-40ab-a69e-c819b0b1f357',
@@ -241,33 +187,15 @@ export const MockItem: Item = Object.assign(new Item(), {
       value: 'text'
     }
   ],
-  owningCollection: {
-    self: {
-      _isScalar: true,
-      value: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/collections/1c11f3f1-ba1f-4f36-908a-3f1ea9a557eb',
-      scheduler: null
-    },
-    requestPending: Observable.create((observer) => {
-      observer.next(false);
-    }),
-    responsePending: Observable.create((observer) => {
-      observer.next(false);
-    }),
-    isSuccessFul: Observable.create((observer) => {
-      observer.next(true);
-    }),
-    errorMessage: Observable.create((observer) => {
-      observer.next('');
-    }),
-    statusCode: Observable.create((observer) => {
-      observer.next(202);
-    }),
-    pageInfo: Observable.create((observer) => {
-      observer.next({});
-    }),
-    payload: Observable.create((observer) => {
-      observer.next([]);
-    })
-  }
-})
+  owningCollection: Observable.of({
+      self: 'https://dspace7.4science.it/dspace-spring-rest/api/core/collections/1c11f3f1-ba1f-4f36-908a-3f1ea9a557eb',
+      requestPending: false,
+      responsePending: false,
+      isSuccessFul: true,
+      errorMessage: '',
+      statusCode: '202',
+      pageInfo: {},
+      payload: []
+    }
+  )});
 /* tslint:enable:no-shadowed-variable */
diff --git a/src/app/shared/search-form/search-form.component.html b/src/app/shared/search-form/search-form.component.html
index 76b234ec0c..18469f686a 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/search-form/search-form.component.html
+++ b/src/app/shared/search-form/search-form.component.html
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
-<form #form="ngForm" (ngSubmit)="onSubmit(form.value)" class="row" action="/search">
-<div *ngIf="isNotEmpty(scopes | async)" class="col-12 col-sm-3">
+<form #form="ngForm" (ngSubmit)="onSubmit(form.value)" class="row">
+<div *ngIf="isNotEmpty(scopes)" class="col-12 col-sm-3">
   <select [(ngModel)]="selectedId" name="scope" class="form-control" aria-label="Search scope" [compareWith]="byId">
     <option value>{{'search.form.search_dspace' | translate}}</option>
-    <option *ngFor="let scopeOption of scopes | async" [value]="scopeOption.id">{{scopeOption?.name ? scopeOption.name : 'search.form.search_dspace' | translate}}</option>
+    <option *ngFor="let scopeOption of scopes" [value]="scopeOption.id">{{scopeOption?.name ? scopeOption.name : 'search.form.search_dspace' | translate}}</option>
   </select>
 </div>
-    <div [ngClass]="{'col-sm-9': isNotEmpty(scopes | async)}" class="col-12">
+    <div [ngClass]="{'col-sm-9': isNotEmpty(scopes)}" class="col-12">
     <div class="form-group input-group">
         <input type="text" [(ngModel)]="query" name="query" class="form-control" aria-label="Search input">
         <span class="input-group-btn">
diff --git a/src/app/shared/search-form/search-form.component.spec.ts b/src/app/shared/search-form/search-form.component.spec.ts
index 0da50658a5..ee1a8cd8f5 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/search-form/search-form.component.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/search-form/search-form.component.spec.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import { ResourceType } from '../../core/shared/resource-type';
 import { RouterTestingModule } from '@angular/router/testing';
 import { Community } from '../../core/shared/community.model';
 import { TranslateModule } from '@ngx-translate/core';
+import { DSpaceObject } from '../../core/shared/dspace-object.model';
 
 describe('SearchFormComponent', () => {
   let comp: SearchFormComponent;
@@ -30,7 +31,7 @@ describe('SearchFormComponent', () => {
   });
 
   it('should display scopes when available with default and all scopes', () => {
-    comp.scopes = Observable.of(objects);
+    comp.scopes = objects;
     fixture.detectChanges();
     const select: HTMLElement = de.query(By.css('select')).nativeElement;
     expect(select).toBeDefined();
@@ -64,7 +65,7 @@ describe('SearchFormComponent', () => {
   }));
 
   it('should select correct scope option in scope select', fakeAsync(() => {
-    comp.scopes = Observable.of(objects);
+    comp.scopes = objects;
     fixture.detectChanges();
 
     const testCommunity = objects[1];
@@ -100,7 +101,7 @@ describe('SearchFormComponent', () => {
   // }));
 });
 
-export const objects = [
+export const objects: DSpaceObject[] = [
   Object.assign(new Community(), {
     handle: '10673/11',
     logo: {
diff --git a/src/app/shared/search-form/search-form.component.ts b/src/app/shared/search-form/search-form.component.ts
index a30e0f0745..76b33a8fd6 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/search-form/search-form.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/search-form/search-form.component.ts
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ export class SearchFormComponent {
   selectedId = '';
   // Optional existing search parameters
   @Input() currentParams: {};
-  @Input() scopes: Observable<DSpaceObject[]>;
+  @Input() scopes: DSpaceObject[];
 
   @Input()
   set scope(dso: DSpaceObject) {
diff --git a/src/app/shared/shared.module.ts b/src/app/shared/shared.module.ts
index 2d77a0a400..85aeca5390 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/shared.module.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/shared.module.ts
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import { SearchResultListElementComponent } from '../object-list/search-result-l
 import { SearchFormComponent } from './search-form/search-form.component';
 import { WrapperListElementComponent } from '../object-list/wrapper-list-element/wrapper-list-element.component';
 import { ViewModeSwitchComponent } from './view-mode-switch/view-mode-switch.component';
+import { VarDirective } from './utils/var.directive';
 
 const MODULES = [
   // Do NOT include UniversalModule, HttpModule, or JsonpModule here
@@ -77,6 +78,10 @@ const ENTRY_COMPONENTS = [
   SearchResultListElementComponent
 ];
 
+const DIRECTIVES = [
+  VarDirective
+];
+
 @NgModule({
   imports: [
     ...MODULES
@@ -84,6 +89,7 @@ const ENTRY_COMPONENTS = [
   declarations: [
     ...PIPES,
     ...COMPONENTS,
+    ...DIRECTIVES,
     ...ENTRY_COMPONENTS,
     ...DIRECTIVES
   ],
diff --git a/src/app/shared/utils/var.directive.ts b/src/app/shared/utils/var.directive.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f6ef731042
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/shared/utils/var.directive.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+import { Directive, Input, TemplateRef, ViewContainerRef } from '@angular/core';
+
+/* tslint:disable:directive-selector */
+@Directive({
+  selector: '[ngVar]',
+})
+export class VarDirective {
+  @Input()
+  set ngVar(context: any) {
+    this.context.$implicit = this.context.ngVar = context;
+    this.updateView();
+  }
+
+  context: any = {};
+
+  constructor(private vcRef: ViewContainerRef, private templateRef: TemplateRef<any>) {}
+
+  updateView() {
+    this.vcRef.clear();
+    this.vcRef.createEmbeddedView(this.templateRef, this.context);
+  }
+}
+/* tslint:enable:directive-selector */
diff --git a/src/main.server.ts b/src/main.server.ts
index aae5b89a62..be2d89fbf3 100644
--- a/src/main.server.ts
+++ b/src/main.server.ts
@@ -8,19 +8,15 @@ import * as https from 'https';
 import * as morgan from 'morgan';
 import * as express from 'express';
 import * as bodyParser from 'body-parser';
-import * as session from 'express-session';
 import * as compression from 'compression';
 import * as cookieParser from 'cookie-parser';
 
-import { platformServer, renderModuleFactory } from '@angular/platform-server';
 import { enableProdMode } from '@angular/core';
 
 import { ngExpressEngine } from '@nguniversal/express-engine';
 
 import { ServerAppModule } from './modules/app/server-app.module';
 
-import { serverApi, createMockApi } from './backend/api';
-
 import { ROUTES } from './routes';
 import { ENV_CONFIG } from './config';
 
diff --git a/src/modules/app/browser-app.module.ts b/src/modules/app/browser-app.module.ts
index aad1af9f4e..61f4cf8499 100644
--- a/src/modules/app/browser-app.module.ts
+++ b/src/modules/app/browser-app.module.ts
@@ -1,26 +1,25 @@
-import { NgModule, APP_INITIALIZER } from '@angular/core';
-import { HttpClientModule, HttpClient } from '@angular/common/http';
-import { RouterModule } from '@angular/router';
+import { HttpClient, HttpClientModule } from '@angular/common/http';
+import { APP_INITIALIZER, NgModule } from '@angular/core';
 import { BrowserModule } from '@angular/platform-browser';
 import { BrowserAnimationsModule } from '@angular/platform-browser/animations';
+import { RouterModule } from '@angular/router';
 
 import { IdlePreload, IdlePreloadModule } from '@angularclass/idle-preload';
 
-import { TranslateModule, TranslateLoader } from '@ngx-translate/core';
-import { TranslateHttpLoader } from '@ngx-translate/http-loader';
-
 import { EffectsModule } from '@ngrx/effects';
 
-import { TransferState } from '../transfer-state/transfer-state';
-import { BrowserTransferStateModule } from '../transfer-state/browser-transfer-state.module';
-import { BrowserTransferStoreEffects } from '../transfer-store/browser-transfer-store.effects';
-import { BrowserTransferStoreModule } from '../transfer-store/browser-transfer-store.module';
-
-import { AppModule } from '../../app/app.module';
-import { CoreModule } from '../../app/core/core.module';
+import { TranslateLoader, TranslateModule } from '@ngx-translate/core';
+import { TranslateHttpLoader } from '@ngx-translate/http-loader';
 
 import { AppComponent } from '../../app/app.component';
 
+import { AppModule } from '../../app/app.module';
+import { BrowserTransferStateModule } from '../transfer-state/browser-transfer-state.module';
+
+import { TransferState } from '../transfer-state/transfer-state';
+import { BrowserTransferStoreEffects } from '../transfer-store/browser-transfer-store.effects';
+import { BrowserTransferStoreModule } from '../transfer-store/browser-transfer-store.module';
+
 export function init(cache: TransferState) {
   return () => {
     cache.initialize();
@@ -41,6 +40,7 @@ export function createTranslateLoader(http: HttpClient) {
     // forRoot ensures the providers are only created once
     IdlePreloadModule.forRoot(),
     RouterModule.forRoot([], {
+      // enableTracing: true,
       useHash: false,
       preloadingStrategy:
       IdlePreload
diff --git a/src/modules/app/server-app.module.ts b/src/modules/app/server-app.module.ts
index d97c13a7bb..eaac592dff 100644
--- a/src/modules/app/server-app.module.ts
+++ b/src/modules/app/server-app.module.ts
@@ -36,8 +36,16 @@ export function boot(cache: TransferState, appRef: ApplicationRef, store: Store<
   // authentication mechanism goes here
   return () => {
     appRef.isStable.filter((stable: boolean) => stable).first().subscribe(() => {
-      cache.inject();
-    });
+      // isStable == true doesn't guarantee that all dispatched actions have been
+      // processed yet. So in those cases the store snapshot wouldn't be complete
+      // and a rehydrate would leave the app in a broken state
+      //
+      // This setTimeout without delay schedules the cache.inject() to happen ASAP
+      // after everything that's already scheduled, and it solves that problem.
+      setTimeout(() => {
+        cache.inject();
+      }, 0);
+      });
   };
 }
 
diff --git a/yarn.lock b/yarn.lock
index 2fcafccd02..91b2a787e2 100644
--- a/yarn.lock
+++ b/yarn.lock
@@ -1073,9 +1073,9 @@ caniuse-db@^1.0.30000529, caniuse-db@^1.0.30000634, caniuse-db@^1.0.30000639:
   version "1.0.30000740"
   resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/caniuse-db/-/caniuse-db-1.0.30000740.tgz#03fcaaa176e3ed075895f72d46c1a12149bbeac9"
 
-caniuse-lite@1.0.30000697:
-  version "1.0.30000697"
-  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/caniuse-lite/-/caniuse-lite-1.0.30000697.tgz#125fb00604b63fbb188db96a667ce2922dcd6cdd"
+caniuse-lite@1.0.30000746:
+  version "1.0.30000746"
+  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/caniuse-lite/-/caniuse-lite-1.0.30000746.tgz#c64f95a3925cfd30207a308ed76c1ae96ea09ea0"
 
 caniuse-lite@^1.0.0, caniuse-lite@^1.0.30000744:
   version "1.0.30000745"