Basic Research

Southern Research scientists are currently engaged in the following basic research initiatives in virology:

Influenza Model Development, Diana Noah, Ph.D.

With emerging pandemic pathogens such as H5N1 and the 2009 H1N1 influenza viruses, development of vaccines that can elicit more potent and protective immune responses - as well as reduce the impact of future pandemic outbreaks - is essential. Successful development of such vaccines depends on the establishment of reliable animal models that allow for studies of vaccine efficacy and safety. Animal modeling of infectious disease also allows for global mapping of the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which these viruses infect, as well as how the vaccines against them provide protection. The domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) is an excellent model for influenza virus research based on its susceptibility to infection and similarities in the pathogenesis of disease.

Functional genomic analyses provide valuable knowledge about which components of the innate immune response the host activates to clear the pathogens, as well as the strategies the virus or bacteria use to defeat the immune response. Systemic approaches like these can identify innate immune signatures that may be used to assess the strength of the adaptive immune response and predict protective immunity after vaccination.

Interaction of Viruses with Host Cell Factors, James Noah, Ph.D.

Dr. Noah is currently working to develop and validate several in vivo and in vitro high-throughput assays for viral and bacterial diseases, including both human and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strains and Salmonella enterica. Assay applications include diagnostic, antimicrobial, or vaccine evaluations. The influenza assays are crucial to identifying new compounds with antiviral properties or those that may act as molecular probes of the complex life cycle of the influenza virus. The adaptation and validation of the proposed influenza assays for HTS have the potential to vastly increase the arsenal of existing antiviral drugs available to rapidly combat an influenza epidemic or pandemic. With the 1997 emergence of HPAI viruses that are directly transmittable to humans, many investigators believe that a new influenza pandemic is imminent. Specific assays adapted for high-throughput screening include a broad- cell viability assay and mechanistic assays for viral neuraminidase and M2 channel function.

Monitoring and Prevention of Infectious Diseases, Vladimir F. Yamshchikov, Ph.D.

Dr. Yamshchikov's current research is focused on completing the development of a human attenuated West Nile virus vaccine, a four-year project funded by the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). He is also pursuing development of Luminex- and GeXP-based multiplexing assays that enable monitoring of host response to infection in the ferret influenza model.