Rhabdoviruses

The J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), which has campuses in both Rockville, MD and La Jolla, CA, has become a major center in virology research. The thread that runs through all JCVI research is genomics, i.e. analysis of the genetic material of populations of organisms, organisms, cells, and viruses. The virology program at JCVI conducts research focused primarily on genomics, evolution, pathogenesis, and vaccine development. The JCVI virology community is composed of representatives from every group in the institute: infectious diseases, human genomics, bioinformatics, synthetic biology, and environmental genomics. JCVI virology may be best known for sequencing thousands of complete influenza virus genomes, and the viral genomics program also has expertise in sequencing, assembly, and annotation of many other virus families. Thus, the ability of JCVI to rapidly isolate, sequence, analyze and synthesize virus genomes through a fully integrated workflow infrastructure makes JCVI unique as a possible rapid response center and therefore a valuable partner in the GVN.

The MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR) represents the UK’s largest grouping of human and veterinary virologists. More than 20 principal investigators and their associated teams make up the research core of the CVR creating a critical mass of researchers dedicated to the study of human and animal viral diseases. We carry out multidisciplinary research on viruses and viral diseases, translating the knowledge gained for the improvement of health and benefit of society. Research at the CVR spans molecular, structural and cellular levels through to the individual host and affected population, thus integrating molecular and structural virology, cell biology, pathogenesis, epidemiology and mathematical modelling. Our research covers emerging viruses including arboviruses, innate and intrinsic immunity to virus infection, hepatitis C virus, viruses and cancer, structural virology, viral genomics and bioinformatics.

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.