Robert M. Chanock, M.D.
Senior Investigator
Dr. Chanock received an M.D. degree from the University of Chicago in 1947. In 1950, after completing his training as a pediatrician, he began his research career at Children's Hospital in Cincinnati under the mentorship of Dr. Albert Sabin, developer of the oral polio vaccine. Dr. Chanock was chief of the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases (LID) for 33 years.
Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Chanock was the first to identify and characterize human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). He also discovered the four human parainfluenza viruses and was responsible for the initial isolations of coronaviruses and several rhinovirus strains. He defined the virologic and epidemiologic characteristics and the clinical spectrum of these and other pathogens. Renowned for his pioneering work in developing new vaccines, Dr. Chanock is the recipient of numerous honors and awards.
Description of Research Program
Studies focus on molecular cloning of human monoclonal antibodies that neutralize important respiratory tract viruses, such as RSV, and evaluation of their usefulness in passive immunoprophylaxis or immunotherapy.
Participation in LID programs for the derivation and evaluation of live attenuated virus vaccines for prevention of serious disease that is systemic (dengue) or primarily localized in the respiratory tract (RSV and parainfluenza viruses) or gastrointestinal tract (rotaviruses) is a research priority. Vaccines are derived by biological manipulation or chemical mutagenesis, recombinant DNA technology, or a combination of both.
Surveillance of virus vaccines developed by LID scientists during the post-licensure period and collaboration with other scientists in the laboratory to address issues of safety and efficacy of the live attenuated rotavirus vaccine developed in LID are additional areas of focus.
Awards
Robert Koch Medal of the Robert Koch Foundation, ICN International Prize in Virology, Bristol-Myers Squibb Award for Distinguished Achievement in Infectious Disease Research, Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal.
Memberships
- U.S. National Academy of Sciences
- Royal Danish Academy of Science
Selected Recent Publications
(View list in PubMed.)
Vesikari T, Karvonen AV, Majuri J, Zeng SQ, Pang XL, Kohberger R, Forrest BD, Hoshino Y, Chanock RM, Kapikian AZ. Safety, Efficacy, and Immunogenicity of 2 Doses of Bovine-Human (UK) and Rhesus-Rhesus-Human Rotavirus Reassortant Tetravalent Vaccines in Finnish Children. J Infect Dis. 2006 Aug 1;194(3):370-6.
Vesikari T, Karvonen A, Forrest BD, Hoshino Y, Chanock RM, Kapikian AZ. Neonatal administration of rhesus rotavirus tetravalent vaccine. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2006 Feb;25(2):118-22.
Rumyantsev AA, Chanock RM, Murphy BR, Pletnev AG. Comparison of live and inactivated tick-borne encephalitis virus vaccines for safety, immunogenicity and efficacy in rhesus monkeys. Vaccine. 2006 Jan 12;24(2):133-43.
Kapikian AZ, Simonsen L, Vesikari T, Hoshino Y, Morens DM, Chanock RM, La Montagne JR, Murphy BR. A hexavalent human rotavirus-bovine rotavirus (UK) reassortant vaccine designed for use in developing countries and delivered in a schedule with the potential
to eliminate the risk of intussusception. J Infect Dis. 2005 Sep 1;192 Suppl 1:S22-9.
Pletnev AG, Claire MS, Elkins R, Speicher J, Murphy BR, Chanock RM. Molecularly engineered live-attenuated chimeric West Nile/dengue virus vaccines protect rhesus monkeys from West Nile virus. Virology. 2003 Sep 15;314(1):190-5.
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