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Viral Infectious Disease Research Center

Viral Infectious Disease Research Center
Viral Infectious Disease Research Center
Objectives
Influenza pandemics generally occur following the emergence of new strains of influenza virus that can be transmitted to humans from other animal species and spread easily within the human population on a worldwide scale. An influenza pandemic of this nature is regarded as a global disaster, threatening public health with a high incidence of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate plans to counter current and future influenza pandemics. The overall objective of our center is to generate new vaccine technologies and antiviral strategies that can broadly address protective immune responses against various sub-types of influenza viruses, especially the current pandemic influenza virus (novel 2009 influenza A [H1N1]) and the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, which are potential candidate viruses of future influenza pandemics
Researchers
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researchers and research statement
name research fields
Haryoung Poo
/ Associate Director
  • Development of a new vaccine adjuvant and study of its mechanism
  • Development of new candidates for universal vaccines
Myung Hee Kim
/ Principal Researcher(Concurrent Position)
  • Protein structure and function
Jae Wha Kim
/ Principal Researcher(Concurrent Position)
  • Efficacy validation of selected candidates for anti-cancer and immune modulation
Myung Kyu Lee
/ Principal Researcher(Concurrent Position)
  • Bionanotechnology, biochemistry
Chul Ho Lee
/ Principal Researcher(Concurrent Position)
  • Development and functional validation of animal models for human metabolic diseases
  • Genetic quality control of laboratory animals
Daesub Song
/ Senior Researcher
  • Application of adjuvant candidate to large animal models Study of interspecies transmission of influenza viruses Surveillance of mammalian derived influenza viruses in Korea
Dae Gwin Jeong
/ Senior Researcher(Concurrent Position)
  • Structural proteomics, Virtual screening for lead compounds
Doo-Jin Kim
/ Researcher
  • Development of universial influenza vaccines Study on mucosal immune system and development of mucosal vaccines
research areas
  • Development of new vaccine technologies including subunit, genetic, and live attenuated vaccines capable of inducing cross-protective immunity
  • Development of a new vaccine adjuvant using polymer (poly-gamma-glutamic acid) and investigation of its immune mechanism
  • Basic research on influenza viruses, including surveillance and genetic characterization
Achievements
  • Development of new vaccine technologies, including subunit, genetic, and live attenuated vaccines against influenza viruses
    • Several candidates of subunit vaccines have been developed via prokaryotic and eukaryotic protein expression systems, using the HA, M2, and NP antigens (Shim et al., PLoS ONE, 2011). We have succeeded in the design and mass production of novel vaccine candidates, and have currently evaluated their efficacies as vaccine candidates in animal models (Kim et al., J Infect Dis, 2012).
  • Development of a new vaccine adjuvant using poly-gamma-glutamic acid and the investigation of its immune mechanism
    • As an efficacious vaccine adjuvant candidate, we have developed poly-gamma-glutamic acid nanogel, which was previously reported to activate NK cells (Kim et al., J Immunol, 2007). Study of the immune mechanism of the adjuvant has revealed that it strongly induces both humoral and cellular immune responses (Lim et al., Small, 2011). The efficacy of the nanogel adjuvant has been evaluated in various animal models using a pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine; the nanogel adjuvant significantly increased the vaccine efficacy compared with conventional adjuvants such as alum or squalene emulsion.
  • Basic research on pandemic influenza, including surveillance and genetic characterization
    • We have isolated influenza viruses from fecal samples of wild migratory birds and ducks in Korea. We have completely identified the positive isolates and have genetically and pathogenically characterized them (Nam et al., J. Virol 2011). In addition, we have evaluated in vitro and in vivo activities of some candidates of antiviral agents.
Selected Publications
  • Daesub Song (Co-First) J Gen Virol. 92(10):2350-5.
    • Interspecies transmission of the canine influenza H3N2 virus to domestic cats in South Korea, 2010
  • Haryoung Poo (Co-Corresponding) ACS Nano. 5(10):8230-40.
    • Synthesis and high performance of magnetofluorescent polyelectrolyte nanocomposites as MR/near-infrared multimodal cellular imaging nanoprobes
  • Haryoung Poo (Co-Corresponding) Chem Commun. 47(31):8889-91.
    • Electrostatically assembled biocompatible polymer nanoparticles for MR/optical dual-modality imaging nanoprobes
  • Haryoung Poo (Co-Corresponding) Small. 7(23):3281-6.
    • Bioderived polyelectrolyte nanogels for robust antigen loading and vaccine adjuvant effects
  • Jeong-Ki Kim & Haryoung Poo (Co-Corresponding) J Virol. 85(24):13271-7.
    • Emergence of mammalian species-infectious and -pathogenic avian influenza H6N5 virus with no evidence of adaptation