Mission

Local, national and international events highlight the critical mission of the Global Health & Emerging Pathogens Institute (GHEPI) at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. This program comprises unique resources at MSSM including talented basic and clinical scientists, astute clinicians, and a diverse and international patient population. GHEPI research focuses on newly emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases that threaten world health. The vital needs in this area are demonstrated not only by the recognition of bioterrorism as a real threat but also by the continual emergence/re-emergence and potential for rapid spread of infectious diseases including HIV, SARS, West Nile virus, hepatitis C, avian influenza, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, to name a few. Investigators at GHEPI have ongoing collaborative research in the area of emerging pathogens with a number of multi-investigator NIH-funded projects that include the Center for Research on Influenza Pathogenesis (CRIP), Northeast Biodefense Center, Center for Investigating Viral Immunity and Antagonism (CIVIA), program project grants in HIV, topical microbicides, 1918 influenza and host response to influenza.

Approach

Mount Sinai will bring together clinical and basic science investigators with a common interest in creating preclinical and clinical therapeutics and preventive strategies in case of bioterrorism attacks and emergence of new infectious diseases. Direct scientific exchange among microbiologists, immunologists, infectious disease specialists, etc. will create a coordinated approach toward scientific progress and the translation of basic science discovery into clinical application. This combined with the rapid advancements in the genetic engineering of viruses will greatly enhance the development of novel vaccines and antiviral targets.