Brian R. Murphy, M.D.
Chief, Respiratory Viruses Section
Description of Research Program
The overall goal of the Respiratory Viruses Section of the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases is to develop vaccines to prevent disease caused by the major respiratory viral pathogens of humans: influenza viruses, parainfluenza virus (PIV) types 1-3, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Research efforts include the study of the pathogenesis, immunobiology, and molecular virology of these viruses. This multi-disciplinary approach involves very diverse studies, including the elucidation of the basic function of each viral protein and of the cis-acting nucleotide sequences involved in transcription and replication. The section also examines the immunogenicity of various vaccines in animal hosts, including animals with passive antibodies that mimic infants with passively-derived maternal antibodies.
Vaccine candidates for RSV and PIV types 1, 2, and 3 are currently being evaluated in humans. Infectious viruses have been recovered from full-length cDNA copies of RSV and PIV3, and, therefore, the systems are now available for further investigations into the basic molecular virology and the immunology of the viruses and as well as for vaccine development.
Future plans for research include the continuation of studies to elucidate the mechanisms of replication of the paramyxoviruses, and use of cDNA technology to develop vaccines effective against RSV and parainfluenza viruses types 1, 2, and 3.
Memberships
- American Society of Virology
Editorial Boards
Research Group Members
Peter Collins, Robert M. Chanock, Alexander G. Pletnev, Kanta Subbarao, Steve Whitehead, Mario Skiadopoulos, Alexander Bukreyev.
Selected Recent Publications
(View list in PubMed.)
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