Vaccine Research Center

Logo of the Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, USA

The Dale and Betty Bumpers Vaccine Research Center, more commonly known as the Vaccine Research Center (VRC), is an Intramural Division of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, one of the US National Institutes of Health. The mission of the VRC is "to conduct research that facilitates the development of effective vaccines for human disease." The primary focus of research is the development of vaccines for AIDS, but the VRC also is working to develop vaccines for Ebola and Marburg viruses and for influenza.

History

The VRC is named after the former Governor of Arkansas Dale Bumpers, and his wife Betty Flanagan Bumpers, who are known for their campaigns to promote immunization of children.[1] The center was opened under the Presidency of Bill Clinton, himself a former Arkansas Governor.[1]

In 1999, Gary Nabel was named the first director of the center by Health Secretary Donna E. Shalala.[2] Dr. Nabel served as director until 2012.[3]

The current director of the VRC is John R. Mascola, who previously served as deputy director.[4] The deputy directors are Richard A. Koup and Barney Graham.

Projects

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, will be featured in the journal Science.

The Vaccine Research Center has multiple Research Laboratories (currently Viral Pathogenesis, Virology, and Immunology), and Research Sections (Humoral Immunology, Structural Biology, Human Immunology, ImmunoTechnology, Cellular Immunology, and Biodefense Research), and Programs (Translational Research, Vaccine Production, and Clinical Trials).

Notes and references

  1. 1 2 "Vaccine Research Center Mission and History". Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  2. ↑ Dr. Gary Nabel Named Director of NIH Vaccine Research Center, NIH news release, accessed 7 Jan, 2009, dated March 11, 1999
  3. ↑ Cohen, Jon (2012-11-15). "NIH vaccine chief Gary Nabel trades dream job for big pharma". Science. Retrieved 2016-12-04.
  4. ↑ "John R. Mascola, M.D.". Retrieved 2017-04-09.
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