The Medical Research Council - University of Glasgow

Centre for Virus Research

The CVR has a holistic approach to virology, spanning studies at the molecular/ structural level and the cellular level, through the individual patient/host and the affected population. Studies within the CVR thus integrate molecular and structural virology, cell biology, pathogenesis, epidemiology and mathematical modelling. Viral diseases present major and constantly evolving threats to human and animal health. At the same time, with their relative genetic simplicity and their intimate interactions with host cell functions, viruses continue to serve as useful tools for fundamental studies of cellular control processes, and also contribute more broadly to medical applications in the modified form of viral vectors. The CVR encompasses all of these strategic elements of virus research.

One of the aims of the CVR is to remove the artificial distinction between human and veterinary virology as a strategic response to the evolving threat to health and economic security presented by viral diseases. The CVR fully embraces the "One Health" initiative, recognising the inextricable links between human and animal health.

The Centre for Virus Research is funded by the Medical Research Council and the University of Glasgow. It has links with several institutions including the University of St Andrews, the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Health Protection Scotland, the East of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, the Moredun Research Institute, the Institute for Animal Health, the University of Edinburgh, the National Institute for Medical Research and the Health Protection Agency in Colindale.