The Chackerian laboratory utilizes a vaccine platform technology that exploits the potent immunogenicity of virus particles. We engineer vaccines by arraying target antigens at high density onto the surface of highly immunogenic virus-like particles (VLPs). This repetitive structure allows us to induce strong antibody responses against virtually any antigen, even ones that are normally poorly immunogenic.
We have used this technology to produce vaccines against antigens from traditional targets, such as pathogens, but also to produce vaccines that target self-antigens that are involved in chronic diseases, such as heart disease and Alzheimer's. Using virus-like particles derived from RNA bacteriophage, we have developed a variety of tools to rapidly identify and develop vaccine candidates.
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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Many of the 2.7-3.9 million persons living with HCV infection are unaware they are infected and do not receive care (e.g., education, counseling, and medical monitoring) and treatment. CDC estimates that although persons born during 1945-1965 comprise an estimated 27% of the population, they account for approximately three fourths of all HCV infections in the United States, 73% of HCV-associated mortality, and are at greatest risk for hepatocellular carcinoma and other HCV-related liver disease. With the advent of new therapies that can halt disease progression and provide a virologic cure (i.e., sustained viral clearance following completion of treatment) in most persons, targeted testing and linkage to care for infected persons in this birth cohort is expected to reduce HCV-related morbidity and mortality. CDC is augmenting previous recommendations for HCV testing (CDC. Recommendations for prevention and control of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and HCV-related chronic disease. MMWR 1998;47[No. RR-19]) to recommend one-time testing without prior ascertainment of HCV risk for persons born during 1945-1965, a population with a disproportionately high prevalence of HCV infection and related disease. Persons identified as having HCV infection should receive a brief screening for alcohol use and intervention as clinically indicated, followed by referral to appropriate care for HCV infection and related conditions. These recommendations do not replace previous guidelines for HCV testing that are based on known risk factors and clinical indications. Rather, they define an additional target population for testing: persons born during 1945-1965. CDC developed these recommendations with the assistance of a work group representing diverse expertise and perspectives. The recommendations are informed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework, an approach that provides guidance and tools to define the research questions, conduct the systematic review, assess the overall quality of the evidence, and determine strength of the recommendations. This report is intended to serve as a resource for health-care professionals, public health officials, and organizations involved in the development, implementation, and evaluation of prevention and clinical services. These recommendations will be reviewed every 5 years and updated to include advances in the published evidence.
Due to the recent outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus Type 1 (EHV-1) in northern Utah, the State Veterinarian advises that precautions should be taken to control the spread of the disease. Therefore restrictions to the use of private horses and mules in the park, first implemented on May 20th, will be extended: Bryce Canyon National Park is closed to the entry and use of private horses and mules for recreational riding through June 4, 2011. This closure may be extended if conditions warrant.
Equine herpes virus is a common DNA virus that occurs in horse populations worldwide. EHV-1 causes abortion, respiratory disease and neurological disease in these animals. Animals under stress are more susceptible to the symptoms of the virus. The disease is not transmissible to humans or animals other than equine (horses, mules, burros) or camelid (llamas, alpacas, camels) species.
Most horse owners are aware on the need to confine movements of equine animals during this time. A measure of caution is appropriate to protect the horses and mules of the park's concessionaire, Canyon Trail Rides, from potential spread of the virus.
Canyon Trail Rides continues to offer two 2-hour and two -day guided horse rides each day. Experiencing Bryce Canyon on horseback is a popular activity and continues the tradition which dates back to the 1930's. For more information call 435-679-8665 or visit: www.canyonrides.com.
Neurologic sequelae can be devastating complications of respiratory viral infections. We report the presence of virus in neural and capillary endothelial cells in frontal lobe tissue obtained at postmortem examination from a patient infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Our observations of virus in neural tissue, in conjunction with clinical correlates of worsening neurologic symptoms, pave the way to a closer understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying central nervous system involvement by SARS-CoV-2.
Both grapevine vein clearing virus and grapevine red blotch virus are detrimental pathogens on grapevines in the Midwestern United States. The most effective method of control for these viruses is early detection and removal of infected vines. A rapid and equipment-free method of detecting grapevine vein clearing virus and grapevine red blotch virus was developed using the isothermal DNA amplification technique, recombinase polymerase amplification, in conjunction with lateral flow strips. The method yields testing results under 35 minutes and can be performed onsite, and thus provides a rapid and grower-friendly diagnostic tool for preventing diseases caused by the two viruses.
Bryce Gartland, MD, is Hospital Group President and Co-Chief of Clinical Operations for Emory Healthcare, a role in which he is accountable for overall performance and achievement at all of Emory Healthcare's eleven hospitals, system shared clinical services, and serves as a core member of Emory Healthcare's strategic team. He formerly served as CEO of Emory University Hospital, Emory Orthopaedic & Spine Hospital and Emory Wesley Woods Hospital.
Dr. Gartland joined Emory as a physician in 2005 practicing in hospital medicine. He has held several leadership roles in his specialty area and hospital operations. In 2012, Dr. Gartland assumed the position of COO at Emory University Hospital, serving in that role till mid-2015, when he was named CEO. He has played key roles in numerous accomplishments, including the hospital's stellar University HealthSystem Consortium rankings for quality and safety achievements, Magnet accreditation for nursing excellence, and the successful treatment of four patients diagnosed with Ebola virus disease.
In 2014, Dr. Gartland was named one of Modern Healthcare's Up & Comers. The annual list showcases 12 health care professionals, ages 40 and under, who have shown leadership qualities and business acumen that stand out among their peers, colleagues and hospital administrators.
Beyond his institutional service, Dr. Gartland is active as a hospitalist leader, recognized as a Senior Fellow in Hospital Medicine and sitting on the several national committees including the Board for the Society of Hospital Medicine. He is a recognized national expert speaking on patient flow, intentional care model design, and the interface of clinical care & healthcare financing. Dr. Gartland received his B.A. in psychology with a concentration in neuroscience from Vanderbilt University. He then obtained his M.D. from the Medical College of Georgia and completed his Internal Medicine internship and residency at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles where he practiced prior to joining Emory in 2005.
The new VNARs will not be immediately available as a treatment in people, but they can help prepare for future coronavirus outbreaks. The shark VNARs were able to neutralize WIV1-CoV, a coronavirus that is capable of infecting human cells but currently circulates only in bats, where SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, likely originated.
LeBeau and his lab in the School of Medicine and Public Health collaborated with researchers at the University of Minnesota and Elasmogen, a biomedical company in Scotland that is developing therapeutic VNARs. The team published its findings in Nature Communications.
One VNAR, named 3B4, attached strongly to a groove on the viral spike protein near where the virus binds to human cells and appears to block this attachment process. This groove is very similar among genetically diverse coronaviruses, which even allows 3B4 to effectively neutralize the MERS virus, a distant cousin of the SARS viruses.
The 3B4 binding site is also not changed in prominent variations of SARS-CoV-2, such as the delta variant. This research was conducted before the omicron variant was discovered, but initial models suggest the VNAR would remain effective against this new version, LeBeau says.
Future therapies would likely include a cocktail of multiple shark VNARs to maximize their effectiveness against diverse and mutating viruses. This new class of drug is cheaper and easier to manufacture than human antibodies, and can be delivered into the body through various routes, but has yet to be tested in humans. LeBeau is also studying the ability of shark VNARs to help in the treatment and diagnosis of cancers.
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