From Polio to Coronavirus – Institutions and Innovators Lead the Way Toward a Vaccine

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For information on the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Vaccine Research, please view this interview* broadcast by CBS Sunday Morning. In the 1940s and 1950s polio caused a world-wide health crisis as hundreds of thousands of people suffered from the debilitating virus; a virus which had no cure. Enter Dr. Jonas Salk who was recruited by the University of Pittsburgh to develop a virus program, and ultimately a vaccine to eradicate the dreaded polio virus. Fast forward 50 years later and the world is faced with a health crisis of epic proportions, with over 20 million cases and over 750,000 deaths. Coronavirus is a challenge to global health unlike any seen before, and it is appropriate that one of the historic leaders in vaccine research with a pedigree that includes the University of Pittsburgh and Dr. Salk’s work is again hard at work at developing a vaccine. The Center for Vaccine Research at the University of Pittsburgh is led by Dr. Paul Duprex, who appropriately enough is the Jonas Salk Chair for Vaccine Research. Dr. Duprex comes from Boston University’s School of Medicine where he was a professor of microbiology and director of bioimaging at the university’s Emerging Infectious Diseases Lab and now directs the Regional Biocontainment Laboratory that allows scientists to contain and study dangerous pathogens.
There is no more dangerous pathogen at the moment than coronavirus. Dr. Duprex received permission for the use of coronavirus in his vaccine research laboratory, and at the same time secured funding for his research based on a grant that had very specific requirements for the type and design of NHP enclosures to be used. With Pitt’s commitment to the highest standards of care for all research animals, Dr. Duprex’s team of highly experienced researchers sought out housing experts of comparable skill. They decided upon a partnership with Allentown, the leader in laboratory animal housing solutions for over 50 years. The Center for Vaccine Research collaborated with Allentown on an innovative enclosure design that satisfied funding requirements and is efficient, safe and humane. Allentown then accelerated all aspects of the project in order to meet critical deadlines. They found innovative ways to fast-track the design and engineering processes, and through a determined and tireless effort expedited fabrication to improve delivery by over two months. In the spirt of discovery, and as always supporting all scientific initiatives that improve life, Allentown provided the essential tools necessary to help Dr. Duprex’s team and the world meet the current unprecedented challenges. “When we started this project, we knew we needed custom enclosures, and we needed them fast,” said Dr. Duprex. “The whole world is watching, waiting on a vaccine.” For all involved in this essential discovery project the hopes are that a swift and reliable vaccine can be developed. The effects of such a discovery will rival the achievements of Dr. Salk and will allow the world to breathe a sigh of relief thanks again to the scientific institutions and researchers that make vaccines research and discovery possible. For more information on the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Vaccine Research, their History with Dr. Jonas Salk and Dr. Duprex’s current efforts please view this interview* broadcast by CBS Sunday Morning.
*This content may not be available to all viewers.

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