Research

 

Our Research

graphic showing a artistic representation of a virus in red surrounded by images (clockwise) for human, environment, animal, and plant with respective pictures of people, a pond with a virus and magnifying glass, a chicken and pig, and drawings of three different plants

Our research programs investigate the pathogenic and therapeutic aspects of some of the most devastating viral infections worldwide, using molecular, epidemiological, and biochemical approaches to explore fundamental questions. We study how human, animal, plant, and environmental viruses enter, assemble, replicate, and establish their lifecycles, including latency and reactivation, and cause disease. We also work on novel approaches to detection, prevention, and treatment of these pathogens. 

 

Our Research Methods & Tools

an artistic representation of a virus in red surrounded clockwise with drawings and words representing 1) the word pathogenesis with drawings of a person holding their stomach, cancer cells, diseased lungs, and yellowed and dead plants; 2) the words cell biology and a representation of a microscope image with arrows out to different cell types, 3) the words animal models and images of a monkey, two different mice, a pig, and a chicken, and 4) the words molecular biology and images of a petri dish with green

Our research approaches span fundamental molecular and cell biology, animal models for in vivo studies, and mechanisms of pathogenesis. Labs at NCV combine cutting-edge technologies with traditional molecular virology to address unique scientific questions in collaboration with other groups and core facilities across universities and research subfields. 


 

 

Our Viruses

 

an artistic representation of a virus in red surrounded by images of viruses for each of 4 virus classes including DNA viruses, RNA viruses, retroviruses, and giant viruses

Research at NCV covers many aspects of virology, focusing on viruses that infect animals, humans, and plants, as well as those of environmental concern. Active areas of investigation include flaviviruses, giant viruses, HIV, human beta- and gamma-herpesviruses, human papillomaviruses, influenza, porcine respiratory viruses, poxviruses, and others.