The broad research portfolio of the VRC includes basic, clinical, and translational[clarification needed] research into vaccines for HIV, Ebola, Marburg, and RSV, among other viruses,[2] and therapeutic antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for COVID-19) and other pathogens.[3]
Historyedit
The origins of the Vaccine Research Center date back to 1996 following discussions between President Bill Clinton and NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci regarding research addressing HIV/AIDS. Recognizing the potential impact a vaccine could make in decreasing the global public health burden of HIV, President Clinton in 1997 announced a plan to establish an HIV vaccine research center on the NIH campus.[4] The dedication ceremony for the VRC took place in 1999 with President Clinton delivering the opening remarks.[5]
Named in honor of immunization advocates former Governor of ArkansasDale Bumpers and his wife Betty Flanagan Bumpers, the Vaccine Research Center opened its doors as Building 40 on the NIH campus in 2000.[6] The founding investigators leading the new center came from a range of scientific disciplines including virology, immunology, structural biology, bioengineering, manufacturing, clinical research and regulatory science. While HIV vaccine research and development remains a core focus, the scope of activities has expanded to include advancing scientific understanding and developing biologics for a broad array of infectious pathogens.
Paramyxoviruses (Parainfluenza Virus and Human Metapneumovirus)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Tuberculosis
Zika Virus
Projectsedit
HIVedit
In July 2010, a collaboration between the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and officials at the Vaccine Research Center found that two human HIV antibodies, named VRC01 and VRC03, could potentially be used against a wide range of types and mutations of HIV in the design of a preventive HIV vaccine for human use, as well as in the formation of better antiretroviral therapy drug cocktails. The discovery, a potentially landmark one in the drive to find a vaccine for AIDS should it be validated and further improved.
^"Commencement Address at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland | The American Presidency Project". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
^"Dale and Betty Bumpers Vaccine Research Center". clintonwhitehouse4.archives.gov. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
^"Building 40, Vaccine Research Center". orf.od.nih.gov. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
^"Nabel to Head AIDS Vaccine Institute". www.science.org. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
^"NIAID selects new director of the Vaccine Research Center". National Institutes of Health (NIH). 2015-08-06. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
^ ab"Immunology Laboratory | NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases". www.niaid.nih.gov. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
^ ab"Virology Laboratory | NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases". www.niaid.nih.gov. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
^ ab"Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory | NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases". www.niaid.nih.gov. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
^"Lesia Dropulic, M.D. | NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases". www.niaid.nih.gov. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
^"Ruth Woodward DVM | NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases". www.niaid.nih.gov. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
^"Adrian McDermott, M.Sc., Ph.D. | NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases". www.niaid.nih.gov. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
^Corti D, Misasi J, Mulangu S, Stanley DA, Kanekiyo M, Wollen S, et al. (March 2016). "Protective monotherapy against lethal Ebola virus infection by a potently neutralizing antibody". Science. 351 (6279): 1339–42. Bibcode:2016Sci...351.1339C. doi:10.1126/science.aad5224. PMID 26917593.
^Hayden EC (2016-02-26). "Ebola survivor's blood holds promise of new treatment". Nature. doi:10.1038/nature.2016.19440. ISSN 1476-4687. S2CID 211835755.
^McNeil DG (12 August 2019). "A Cure for Ebola? Two New Treatments Prove Highly Effective in Congo". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
^Molteni M (12 August 2019). "Ebola is Now Curable. Here's How The New Treatments Work". Wired. Retrieved 13 August 2019.