mass spectrometry

Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München:  Research at the Institute of Virology is geared toward pathogenic human viruses such as hepatitis viruses, HIV, poxviruses or SARS virus.  Their study focuses on molecular details of the viral replication cycle, host-pathogen interactions and the role of immunity in viral diseases. The institute is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation, BSL2 and BSL3 laboratories and an immune monitoring unit.  In spring 2013, the Global Virus Network met in Munich to discuss the topics of control of chronic and emerging viral infections. The workshop highlighted the Durability of Vaccine-induced Immune Response, and was led by GVN Co-Founder and International Scientific Advisor, Dr. Robert Gallo and Ulrike Protzer, among other speakers at the event.

Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multi-specialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. In 2018, there were 7.9 million total outpatient visits, 238,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 220,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Its research facilities encompass over 700,000 sq ft of laboratory space on campus with nearly 2,000 researchers and support personnel and an annual research budget exceeding $300 million.  Lerner Research Institute (LRI) is home to basic, translational, and clinical research at Cleveland Clinic. With its level of funding from federal and, non-federal sources, the LRI ranks in the top 10 Institutes in the country in terms of research success.  Its 30-year history of groundbreaking advances in antiviral innate immunity research makes Cleveland Clinic an internationally recognized institution in this area of research. These advances include many fundamental discoveries on interferon signal transduction and antiviral pathways. Among the members of the GVN center will be leading investigators in viral-host interactions, encompassing antiviral drug development, immune modulatory therapies, and emerging viral pathogens. The center also includes the recently established Florida Research and Innovation Center (FRIC) in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, dedicated to the advancement of innovative translational research focused on immuno-oncology and infectious diseases.

Virology and immunology research at Gladstone is focused primarily on three primary and urgent challenges in HIV/AIDS. We desperately need a vaccine for those at risk of coming in contact with the virus, as well as a cure for the millions of people who are already infected. And finally, we need new approaches for restoring a normal lifespan to those who are HIV-positive—but dying much too early from diseases of aging. In addition to HIV, we’re working on a variety of other areas of investigation: Gladstone scientists are looking for new biological targets for drugs that will attack the hepatitis C virus—which has infected 170 million people worldwide. Hepatitis C is a common co-infection with HIV/AIDS. We are also investigating the molecular structure of viruses associated with cancer—and how to remove them from the body as a way to reduce the risk of cancer. And we are investigating why newborns and infants mount less effective immune responses to viruses than adults do.

Karolinska Institute (KI) is one of the world’s leading medical universities. Their mission is centered toward research and education, to help improve people’s health. In Sweden, Karolinska Institute accounts for over 40 per cent of the medical academic research and has the largest collection of medical education. Since 1901 the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institute has selected the Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine, and several alumni have won the prestigious award.

Originally founded in 1892, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases aims at carrying out extensive and original research projects on a variety of contagious diseases from the standpoint of preventive medicine, improving human health and welfare by suppressing infectious diseases, and clarifying and supporting the scientific background of health and medical administration of the government. These functions may be summarized into 1) research activities, 2) reference services for infectious diseases, 3) surveillance of infectious diseases, 4) national control tests and other tests, 5) international cooperation, and 6) training activities.

Finding solutions to prevent, treat and cure infectious diseases and understanding the complexities of microbes and the immune system requires innovative approaches and concentrated effort. This is why the University of Melbourne – a world leader in education, teaching and research excellence – and The Royal Melbourne Hospital – an internationally renowned institution providing outstanding care, research and learning –partnered to create the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute); a centre of excellence where leading scientists and clinicians collaborate to improve human health globally.

The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University creates transformative technological breakthroughs by engaging in high-risk research, crossing disciplinary and institutional barriers, to develop new engineering solutions for healthcare, energy, architecture, robotics, and manufacturing. Our technologies are translated into commercial products and therapies through collaborations with clinical investigators, corporate alliances, and formation of new startups

Over the last five years, the URMC has garnered more than $1.18 billion in biomedical research funding, common and rare illnesses, landing the University in the top 26th percentile of U.S. medical centers in Federal research funding. Coupled with one million square feet of state-of-the-art research space, and high-end support services and shared resources, we’re building upon this strong legacy of research every day. Our scientists contributed vaccine technology: HPV vaccine, protecting against cervical cancer, newborns worldwide receive a vaccine that URMC researchers created against Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib), virtually wiping out a leading cause of meningitis in preschoolers. And we conducted the first pivotal, H5N1 bird flu efficacious and safety study, and ready to administer if faced with a pandemic. The Medical Center also has a long history in HIV research, being one of the first sites in the United States to conduct HIV vaccine studies. The NIH-sponsored University of Rochester HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Unit, or The Rochester Victory Alliance, participated in more than 275 HIV treatment and vaccine trials, enrolling upwards of 3,500 volunteers since 1987.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) is world renowned for its research and translational programs in virology and the global reach of these programs.  The UW-Madison Global Health Institute lies at the crossroads of these endeavors and serves as an umbrella organization for broad-based activities on emerging themes in global health.  Virologists at UW-Madison study agents infecting humans, animals, and plants, including highly pathogenic viruses (e.g. the ebolaviruses) and viruses with pandemic potential (e.g. influenza virus, arboviruses).  Activities range from basic research to the development of vaccines and therapeutics to public health and policy.  UW-Madison has particular strengths in emerging viral pathogens and zoonosis, including rapid detection and characterization of viral agents, the development of animal models (especially primates), and the development of countermeasures such as vaccines and therapeutics.

The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) is known worldwide for its academic excellence in virology research. The scientists and academic staff at the university include some of the world’s foremost infectious disease experts, and research at the university results in groundbreaking biomedical discoveries and the development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostic tools. The Galveston National Laboratory (GNL), the flagship high containment facility of the UTMB Institute of Human Infections and Immunity, resides on the UTMB campus and houses research on Ebola, chikungunya, MERS coronavirus, dengue, West Nile, and other emerging viruses. The Institute also includes the Center for Biodefense & Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, the Center for Tropical Diseases, and the McLaughlin Endowment for Infection and Immunity.