Research

The Institute of Human Virology is the first research institute in the United States to link basic research, population studies and clinical research in an effort to discover new ways to diagnose and treat viral diseases. Its primary goals are to develop new treatments, cures, and, ultimately, prevention of chronic viral diseases.

Already, IHV scientists and researchers have forged new paths in the fight against HIV and AIDS, now the worst epidemic and deadliest disease in medical history. Scientists at the Institute also aggressively pursue the mechanisms by which viruses attack human cells and spread and focus their research efforts on prevention and biological treatments that are potentially less toxic, less costly and more easily accessible to the world at large.

In addition, the IHV brings a full range of patient problems to the laboratory investigator, ideas from clinical providers to the lab scientists and, in turn, quick application of basic research discoveries to the patient. It's a new paradigm that allows us to speed the pace of discovery - and the benefit to real-life patients.

Research initiatives at the Institute of Human Virology fall under three main divisions:

• Basic Science
• Vaccine Development
• Clinical Research/Trials

Basic Science

Researchers in this division seek a deeper understanding of the properties of HIV and work to identify other new viruses. This discovery process enables scientists to develop new treatments for AIDS and other diseases and often furthers our knowledge of the role of viruses in cancers and other diseases.

Vaccine Development

At the Institute, one quest is to find an effective and affordable vaccine against HIV. This ambitious goal represents science's greatest hope in conquering the HIV/AIDS epidemic, especially in developing countries where health care is sporadic and money and medical personnel are scarce. Scientists in this division are working on novel approaches that already have shown positive results in the laboratory setting.

Clinical Research/Trials

In order to benefit patients, research initiatives must advance from laboratory to clinic. At the IHV, basic researchers work alongside clinicians to speed the pace of progress. The benefit for patients is that they have access to cutting-edge treatments not available elsewhere.

IHV's research efforts are facilitated by two core areas of support:

Animal Models

Animal models research is an integral part of the scientific research process for therapies and vaccines. This division is a unique feature of the Institute, enabling scientists to work with relatively inexpensive models to study AIDS and new drugs or therapies without risk to humans. Developing animal subjects for use in viral research is a science unto itself and is essential in taking a discovery from the laboratory to the clinic.

µQUANT Core Facility

The Institute also houses its own µQUANT core facility to provide quality immunological analyses of biological analytes to researchers within the IHV and to outside collaborators locally and nationally.