Background

The founding of the VGTI was based on the increasing realization that progress in these areas of investigation requires high level expertise and experience in virology, immunology, animal models, pathology and clinical infectious disease, a combination that is rarely found in a single investigator. The strategy of the VGTI is to provide a close-knit collaborative environment for a group of independent scientists within these disciplines that could interact on a daily basis.

In 2001 the VGTI Building was designed to include 4 BSL3 labs, 2 rodent and 2 NHP ABSL3 facilities to handle highly pathogenic pathogens. These are the only containment facilities at OHSU capable of handling COVID19. It is very fortunate we have these facilities which are the only ones in Oregon that will allow us to study this virus to make vaccines and antivirals. All COVID19 research with viral infections will occur at the VGTI.

From 2009-2014 Jay Nelson was the Director of the NIAID Pacific Northwest Research Centers of Excellence (PNWRCE) in Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, a consortium of investigators from 20 institutions with extensive expertise and basic and translational research capacity directed at a broad range of NIAID Category A–C Priority Pathogens including Influenza, Ebola, SARS, Dengue, and Chikungunya viruses. The goal of the PNWRCE is to identify age-related immune system defects to develop new vaccines and supplemental therapies to enhance protection of individuals. This center positioned the VGTI as one of the best groups in the world to develop vaccines and therapies for emerging disease.

In 2014 the PNWRCE transitioned into the Centers of Excellence in Translational Research (CETRs) that were centers to accelerate the development of vaccines and therapeutics in emerging diseases. Several groups at the VGTI are part of this research effort. Our focus has been on Dengue Zika and Chikungunya while others in our group are studying SARS and COVID19. We have been working with Gilead and that group was involved in the identification one of the drugs Gilead is testing today.

COVID19 Vaccine Development

The use of CMV as a Vaccine Vector for COVID19. Drs. Klaus, Louis, and Meaghan Hancock.

This project will use CMV as a vector for COVID19 to determine whether induction of T cell or B cell immunity or both are needed for immune protection. Since Coronaviruses are notorious for vaccine enhancement of disease, this project will also examine whether the enhancement is triggered by the Tor B cell response.

The use of Gamma herpesviruses as a Vaccine Vector for COVID19. Dr. Scott Wong.

This project will test whether gamma herpesvirus can be used as a vaccine vector for COVID19.

Identification of Vaccine adjuvants for COVID19. Drs. Victor DeFilippis and Alec Hirsch.

This project will use various vaccine adjuvants being developed at the VGTI can be used with noninfectious virus like COVID19 particles as an effective vaccine. As stated above Coronaviruses vaccines can enhance disease so this project will use vaccine adjuvants to mold the immune response so that it is protective but doesn’t accelerate disease.

The use of Neutralizing antibodies to CCR5 as an intervention to COVID19 induced pneumonia. Dr. Jonah Sacha.

This project in collaboration with a company will test whether neutralizing antibodies to CCR5 a receptor on macrophages can block the inflammatory process causing the pneumonia in COVID19 patients. He will be testing this in NHPs.

"Coronavirus Survivor Credits Artificial Antibody Experimental Treatment For Recovery"

Other Projects

Drs. Louis Picker and Scott Hansen will be working with Dr. Marcel Curlin to test whether the SARS-CoV2-specific T cell response can be used as an early diagnostic marker of COVID19 infection, a predictor of outcome, or a reliable indicator of past infection and immunity.

Dr. Meaghan Hancock is working with Drs. Dan Streblow and Donna Hansel to develop a new antibody test that is specific for COVID19. The current tests are not specific and cross react with other Coronavirus infections that represent 15% of all common colds.

The establishment of the COVID19 clinical testing lab with Donna Hansel. Dan Streblow and Alec Hirsch have been in the lab since its inception to make sure that tests are running smoothly.

Lastly, VIR Biotechnologies that spun out of the VGTI is currently in clinical trials testing humanized antibodies to COVID19 as an antiviral therapy.