Immunobiology Vaccine Center (IVC)

Past Director:  Jerry R. McGhee, PhD

Co-Directors:  David Briles, PhD; Kohtaro Fujihashi, DDS, PhD; Hiroshi Kiyono, DDS, PhD; Jiri Mestecky, MD

Established:  1990

 

Mission and Demographics

The mission of the Immunobiology Vaccine Center (IVC) is to foster vaccine research at UAB with an emphasis on mucosal vaccine development.  The Center currently has 35 appointed faculty representing 6 departments and 2 schools at UAB.

Center Research

The Center’s basic research examines the role of T helper cells in mucosal immunity, cytokines/chemokines as adjuvants for mucosal immunity, development of non-toxic mucosal adjuvants, and vaccines for respiratory bacterial pathogens.  Clinical research includes preclinical studies on the safety of enterotoxin-derived mucosal adjuvants and analysis of immunity to Pneumococci in humans.  Recently, the Center has initiated a biodefense program for developing mucosal vaccines to category A agents, since most bioterrorism attacks would likely occur via airborne or enteric (water-borne) routes.

Training 

The IVC accepts positions for postdoctoral fellows for their career development based upon the availability of funds.

 

For additional information:

            Past Director:  Jerry R. McGhee, PhD

            Email:  mcghee@uab.edu

            Phone:  205-934-5045

            Co-Director:  Kohtaro Fujihashi, DDS, PhD

            Email:  kohtarof@uab.edu

            Phone:  205-934-1951

            Administrator:  Sheila Turner

            Email:  jordan@uab.edu

            Phone:  205-934-5124

 

 

Approved by:  Kohtaro Fujihashi, DDS, PhD, Co-Director

Date:  April 3, 2008

 

 

Click here to return to the SOM Research Web Site's home page.