The global spread of acute respiratory syndrome outbreak, human infections with monkey pox and avian influenza, and a food borne hepatitis A outbreak all serve to illustrate the threat infectious agents poise to world health. These infections all occurred naturally, but when juxtaposed with the worldwide terrorist threat they provided a glimpse of the potential risks from intentionally released organisms.  Consider also that despite the predictability of the yearly flu outbreak, there was a failure in recent years to generate a fully effective vaccine for the current strains.  This inadequate response suggests a pressing need for research to improve vaccines, antimicrobial agent and targeted therapy development both for naturally occurring infections and, even more so, for agents that can be used as weapons of terror.

  

The Center for Investigating Viral Immunity and Antagonism (CIVIA) applies a multifaceted approach to translational research in order to develop tools for rapid characterization of the human immune response and enhance scientific understanding of human immunity to infectious agents.  The Center strives to develop fresh technological methodologies designed to efficiently and effectively evaluate the host-pathogen response.  Research conducted at CIVIA explores the human immune response to viral pathogens and capitalizes on the Center’s technology.  Through educational outreach, CIVIA seeks to expand the application of its technology, encourage collaboration and spark scientific exchange.  CIVIA receives funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease and is housed at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine in the Department of Microbiology.