The following is an alphabetical list of Vaccine Research Center (VRC) sections and programs with brief research descriptions. You can also search the Intramural Scientist & Clinician Directory to learn more about VRC researchers, and read more about the Vaccine Research Center.
Arbovirus Immunity Section
Arbovirus Immunity Section (AIS) investigates the biology of and immunological responses to viruses spread to people by the bites of arthropods such as ticks and mosquitoes.
Cellular Immunology Section
The aim of the Cellular Immunology Section (CIS) is to provide a mechanistic basis for developing preventive vaccines against HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, SARS-CoV-2 and therapeutic vaccines against cancer.
Clinical Trials Program
The primary mission of the VRC Clinical Trials Program (CTP) is to carry out clinical research through both an intramural program based at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center and through a broad range of support for external trials conducted by VRC collaborators and partners.
Human Immunology Section
The Human Immunology Section (HIS) studies the processes that determine the course of human diseases in which the immune system plays a central role in their pathogenesis and outcome. We take a systems biology approach to generate multi-scale datasets.
Humoral Immunology Section
The Humoral Immunology Section (HIMS) focuses on understanding antibody-mediated protective immune responses against HIV-1 using studies of both the plasma antibody compartment and the B-cell compartment.
Immunology Section
The mission of the Immunology Section (IMS) is to investigate novel aspects of the cellular immune response to pathogens in support of the rational development of a vaccine against HIV and other lethal human viral pathogens.
ImmunoTechnology Section
The ImmunoTechnology Section (ITS) is dedicated to understanding the roles and interactions of the individual components of the mature central immune system, with a particular eye toward the changes occurring during acute or chronic antigenic challenge.
Molecular ImmunoEngineering Section
The Molecular Immunoengineering Section (MIS) at the Vaccine Research Center aims to conceive novel vaccine concepts that elicit broad and potent protective immune responses against influenza virus and provide a mechanistic principle for designing vaccines for other hypervariable pathogens such as coronaviruses and HIV-1.
PREMISE
The PREMISE (Pandemic REsponse REpository through Microbial and Immune Surveillance and Epidemiology) program was established to support pandemic preparedness and response. Through a network of investigators and collaborators, PREMISE conducts virologic and immunologic screening of targeted and broad cohorts to detect reactivity against pathogens of pandemic potential.
Regulatory Science and Strategy Program
The Vaccine Research Center (VRC) Regulatory Science and Strategy Program (RSSP) aims to advance and support the VRC mission to discover, develop, and evaluate novel vaccines and antibody-based products.
Structural Biology Section
The Structural Biology Section (SBS) seeks to apply structural biology to the development of effective vaccines – especially a vaccine against HIV-1.
Translational Research Program
The Translational Research Program (TRP) serves three major functions at the VRC: 1) provides centralized support and service for all in vivo research conducted at the VRC, 2) conducts collaborative research and animal model development, and 3) operates a fully accredited lab animal facility.
Vaccine Immunology Program
The goal of the Vaccine Immunology Program (VIP) is to facilitate the coordinated development and deployment of state-of-the-art technologies and analyses, which can be utilized effectively for vaccine discovery, early development and testing of clinical products.
Vaccine Production Program
The goal of the Vaccine Production Program (VPP) is to efficiently translate candidate research vaccines into materials for proof-of-concept clinical trials and to enable advanced development and licensure by partners.
Viral Persistence & Dynamics Section
VPDS was established with a mission to help develop means of targeting virus reservoirs and reducing disease progression in people living with HIV.