National Institute of Virology and Bacteriology (NIVB)

The mission of the National Institute of Virology and Bacteriology (NIVB) is to produce discoveries in the area of infectious diseases that improve human health, develop safe and effective antiviral and antibacterial therapies, and prepare platforms for future discovery and development of drugs to fight viruses and bacteria with pandemic potential.

Despite decades of research, there are still no vaccines or therapies for many infectious diseases. The importance of new therapeutics and the pressing need for them can be clearly seen in the negative medical and economic impacts of these diseases. Development of new therapeutics requires a basic understanding of the mechanisms that allow pathogens to infect cells and cause illness, and many of them have yet to be thoroughly studied. Basic and clinical research on viruses and pathogenic bacteria is essential for a better understanding and development of therapeutic responses to the processes by which pathogens cause disease, how they evade the immune system, and how they resist treatment.

The NIVB thus pursues outstanding research in the following areas: (1) interactions between pathogens and hosts; (2) immunity against viruses and bacteria; and (3) treatment of viral and bacterial diseases. Thanks to work with pathogens that are relevant to contemporary clinical practice as well as with new viruses and bacteria, the institute’s research groups will be able to supply expertise and equipment for the study of new pathogens with the potential to one day spread among the human population. In this regard, the NIVB will become a national authority and knowledge partner to government agencies.

Project coordinator is IOCB CAS 

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