Overview

Our research focus is on viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF), in particular Lassa fever, but also Ebola virus disease and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. These diseases are on the WHO R&D Blueprint List for their high risk to cause larger outbreaks, and for the lack of modern diagnostics, specific vaccines, and therapeutics to combat these diseases. The department's work is dedicated to BNITM's three strategic priorities, (1) combating highly infectious pathogens in resource-poor regions; (2) innovative disease control using interdisciplinary approaches; and (3) applying integrative experimental techniques to the study of pathogens and infections. Our methodology includes genetic modification of viruses, cell biology as well as preclinical models of disease in laboratories of the highest biosafety level.