Virus Research & Therapeutics
Vision and Goal:
• To carry out state-of-the-art research on virus pathogenesis with emphasis on clinical applications to meet National priorities for tackling viral diseases with pandemic potential
• Development of drug repurposing platforms for rapidly countering emerging viral threats and specific chemical libraries using medicinal chemistry and acquisition approaches.
• Development of platform technologies for early and rapid detection of viral diseases
• Development of inherently safe and cost-effective antiviral vaccines
• Research and development on oncolytic viruses targeting triple-negative breast cancer
• Therapeutic discovery applications for alleviating nationally important veterinary viral diseases in collaboration with other National institutes
Scientists:
*Area coordinator
Core Competencies and Activities
• Virus culture facility for Japanese encephalitis, Dengue, SARS-CoV2, oncolytic viruses, and other viruses important for the Nation.
• BSL-3 facilities for in vitro antiviral screening assays
• Array of in vitro and in vivo assay systems for testing of antiviral compounds
• Compound libraries consisting of approved drugs, Phytopharmaceuticals and non-toxic compounds with platform assays for quick repurposing against emerging viruses with pandemic potential
• ex vivo bio-models for viral infection using human organoid cultures
• Investigate the mechanisms that lead to severe dengue illness using murine models
• Understanding the role of SARS-CoV-2 immunity in flaviviral pathogenesis
• Address questions regarding cell trafficking, cytokine control of infection, and cell-mediated immunity
• Multi-institutional collaborations with diverse expertise consisting of Medicinal chemistry, Virology, Structural Biology, Artificial intelligence, Chemical biology, Safety and toxicology, Clinicians and Veterinarians, to carry out the research and translational activities.
• Mechanistic studies to decipher viral entry, pathogenesis and host-virus interaction