Special Programs
Institute for Antiviral Research (IAR)
The IAR is comprised of a team of scientists representing a spectrum of disciplines from both the ADVS and Biology Departments at USU, who work together on research oriented toward the control of viral diseases. The IAR has had underlying support from several government agencies, including the Department of Defense, the division of AIDS of the National Institutes of Health, and the division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health. In addition, Institute researchers also receive considerable support from private industry. Researchers in this Institute have been involved in the development of five drugs now used clinically to treat viral diseases. Research areas include:
- In vitro antiviral evaluation using a spectrum of viruses of veterinary and human importance.
- In vivo antiviral evaluations, with work focusing primarily on the use of laboratory animals to serve as models of disease in higher animals and man.
- Immunological evaluation to determine a variety of immunological responses of animals, particularly after treatment with biological response modifiers.
- Biochemical mechanisms of action of substances exhibiting antiviral activity.
- Transgenic mouse services, wherein transgenic mice are genetically engineered according to a sponsor's request.
- Retrovirus gene expression, using particularly the human immunodeficiency virus long terminal repeat gene in the skin of transgenic mice.
- Immunotoxin construction as a new approach to curing the mammalian host of persisting viruses.
Director of the IAR is Robert W. Sidwell.
Co-Principal Investigators from the ADVS Department include Dale L. Barnard,
Thomas D. Bunch, John D. Morrey, Donald F. Smee and Roger A. Burger (Center For
Persons With Disabilities).