Infectious Diseases
Research
Physician-scientists in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases advance the fundamental understanding of infectious diseases pathogenesis through basic science research, while the Division’s clinical investigators carry out innovative patient-based research designed to apply medical advances to clinical practice on a daily basis.
Basic Science Research
Basic science research in the Program for Respiratory Infections, led by Dr. Anne Moscona, centers on molecular pathogenesis of human paramyxoviruses—the parainfluenza virus and the emerging pathogen Hendra virus. Parainfluenza virus is an important cause of lower respiratory tract infections, including croup, pneumonia and bronchiolitis, and there are currently no vaccines or antiviral agents for these major causes of disease and death in infants and in children under five years of age. Hendra virus is a highly fatal paramyxovirus, which is a potential agent of bioterrorism. The researchers are interested in how these viruses enter cells by fusing with the cells’ envelope and in how to possibly interfere with this viral entry process to prevent or treat the diseases. Both the parainfluenza and Hendra projects are funded by investigator-initiated NIH-grants.
Clinical Research
Clinical research focuses on molecular epidemiology of emerging resistance of bacteria to antibiotics, and translational and clinical research in Pediatric AIDS.
