basic immunology + virology The term basic, when applied to research in immunology, virology, or any other scientific field, may mislead some into thinking it synonymous with elementary. But basic research is anything but simple; on the contrary, basic research is what expands the frontiers of our knowledge by answering questions about how things work. With regard to immunology and virology, basic research explains the cellular and molecular processes of the immune system and the mechanisms by which viruses undermine those processes. Basic immunology and virology are crucial to the EVC’s research program; the findings that stem from this research form the foundation upon which other scientists build vaccine strategies and methods for assessing their success. Without basic science, the development of vaccines would have to rely on fortunate happenstance instead of genuine understanding. A major thrust of the basic virology research at the EVC is answering the question of why and how certain viruses establish chronic, latent infections that so far are beyond our ability to cure. HIV, hepatitis C virus, and herpesviruses are common examples of viruses that cause chronic infections. Investigators: |
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