Within the last century, viruses have made a devastating impact on the world — including the 1918 influenza and COVID-19 pandemics, the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, intensifying Ebola virus outbreaks, Zika virus, and many other diseases resulting in millions of deaths.
Viruses are an increasing threat to public health, the economy and national security. New virus outbreaks and pandemics will continue to happen more often due to factors like climate change and the expanding human population.
To counter these dangers, researchers at the Morgridge Institute’s John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe Center for Research in are using diverse methods and tools to better understand, prevent and treat viral diseases.
In collaboration with partners at UW – Madison and beyond, these “virus investigators” are making fundamental new discoveries at the cellular level. Their research builds the foundation for more effective and broader spectrum antivirals — a solution that doesn’t just target a single virus, but many viruses at once — to help overcome and eventually to prevent future deadly viral pandemics.