Duke University School of Medicine has joined the Global Virus Network (GVN) as one of its newest Centers of Excellence.
The GVN, headquartered at the University of South Florida, is a coalition of eminent human and animal virologists from more than 80 institutions in over 40 countries. The organization works collaboratively to train the next generation, advance knowledge about how to identify and diagnose pandemic viruses, mitigate and control how such viruses spread and make us sick, as well as develop drugs, vaccines, and treatments to combat them.
The GVN named Duke, along with the Czech Republic’s National Institute of Virology and Bacteriology, the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, and the Yale School of Public Health, as new Centers of Excellence.
“We are pleased to announce GVN’s newest Centers of Excellence,” said Robert C. Gallo, MD, chairman of the Scientific Leadership Board and co-founder of the GVN. "By fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and advancing scientific understanding, we are strengthening and enhancing the global health infrastructure. Each of these four new Centers brings invaluable expertise, and together, we will expand the frontiers of virus research and control, ensuring the protection of future generations from emerging threats."
The GVN announcement said Duke includes several entities that will collaborate well with the GVN. Duke Research and Discovery @RTP is a research hub for School of Medicine scientists devoted to the study of infectious diseases. The Duke Global Health Institute works to achieve health equity for vulnerable groups and individuals around the world through research, education and partnership. The Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI) continues to lead with cutting edge basic immunology and vaccine research against infectious diseases that impact global health.
Scientists at the DHVI conduct basic and translational research to develop novel vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics for diseases such as HIV-1, influenza, SARS-CoV-2, tuberculosis, syphilis, and herpes viruses. Products from several DHVI basic science discoveries are currently being produced in DHVI’s Good Manufacturing Practice facilities for early phase vaccine trials.
“We look forward to working with the GVN to help develop diagnostics for emerging pathogens, manufacture investigational biologics for use in Phase I clinical trials, and help conduct human trials of monoclonal antibodies or vaccines for re-emerging or emerging pathogens, ” said Thomas N. Denny, MSc, M.Phil, the new GVN Center of Excellence director and chief operating officer of DHVI, associate dean for Duke Research and Discovery @RTP, and professor of medicine.