The Department of Virology I is engaged in research, the quality control of vaccines, and reference activities related to hemorrhagic fever viruses, arboviruses, neuroviruses, herpesviruses, Rickettsia and Chlamydia. The research is directed towards (i) biological characterization of viruses, Rickettsia and Chlamydia, (ii) the development of laboratory diagnostic methods, (iii) molecular and sero-epidemiology, (iv) disease pathogenesis, and (v) the development of new vaccines.

SPECIAL PATHOGENS LABORATORY

Laboratory diagnosis and virological studies on hemorrhagic fever viruses including Ebola, Marburg, Lassa, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever viruses and variola virus.

Molecular study on the pathogeniesis of hantaviruses.

Development of diagnostic laboratory methods for emerging and re-emerging viral diseases.

Reference laboratory activities on poxviruses.

Quality control of smallpox viruses.

ARBOVIRUSES LABORATORY

Development of diagnostic laboratory methods for arbovirus infections.

Molecular and epidemiological studies on arboviruses. Studies on the immune responses induced by arbovirus infection and vaccination.

Quality control of Japanese encephalitis vaccine.

Quality control of yellow fever vaccine.

Reference laboratory activity on arboviruses.

This laboratory has been designated as a global specialized Japanese encephalitis laboratory by WHO.

NEUROVIROLOGY LABORATORY

Pathogenesis of rabies virus.

Development of novel rabies vaccine and quality control of the current vaccine.

Laboratory diagnosis of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Development of diagnosis for Bunyavirus neuro infections.

HERPESVIRUSES LABORATORY

Studies on prophylaxis, treatment, and diagnosis of the diseases caused by human herpesviruses.

Studies on replication, gene expression, and pathogenesis of human herpesviruses.

Molecular and sero-epidemiology of human herpesviruses.

Studies on diagnostics and treatment of drug-resistant herpesvirus infections.

Studies on varicella zoster virus (VZV) vaccine and VZV intradermal test antigen for quality control of these products.

LABORATORY OF RICKETTSIA AND CHLAMYDIA

Development of diagnostic laboratory methods for rickettsial and chlamydial infections.

Molecular and sero-epidemiological studies on Rickettsia and Chlamydia.

Study of the pathogenesis of rickettsial and chlamydial infections.

Reference laboratory activities on Rickettsia and Chlamydia.