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Smallpox Research Agenda:
focused on preparedness needs
• Institute of Medicine Report recommendations for “Assessment of Future
Scientific Needs for Live Variola Virus” (1999) have helped to frame the
research agenda.
• Protocols approved by WHO technical subcommittee
• Research updates provided annually to the WHO Advisory Committee for
Variola Virus Research
• Collaborative HHS (largely CDC) and DoD (largely USAMRIID)
• All U.S. work with live Variola virus occurs within the BSL-4 containment
laboratory at the CDC
• Inspected regularly by U.S. security and biosafety authorities and WHO
biosafety teams
• Genetic manipulation of Variola virus not authorized by WHO
– 1994 Ad hoc Orthopoxvirus Advisory Committee recommendation
• Full genomes of Variola viruscan only be maintained at the 2WHO CCs
• No lab can havemore than 20% of the Variolavirusgenome, except aWHO
Collaborating Center
• All research findings to be made available to the international scientific
community
IOM recommendations* 1999->
WHO sanctioned research agenda
• Molecular characterization of Variola virus for
more sensitive and specific diagnostic
development
– Sequencing entire genomes and specific genes
• Antiviral
• Less reactogenic vaccine development
• Animal model – pathogenesis, model system
for antiviral & novel vaccine evaluation
• Fundamental research – host pathogen
interaction
* Assessment of Future Scientific Needs for Live Variola Virus; N.A.Press (1999)