The Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases has its own research group focused on "Emerging Viruses", headed by Prof. Isabella Eckerle. It is also affiliated with the University of Geneva, Department of Medicine (DEMED) and physically located at the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine (MIMOL) at the University Medical Center (CMU).
A major research focus of the group is the laboratory-based risk assessment of new and emerging zoonotic viruses by classical molecular and virological methods, using innovative and highly specific cell culture models from human and animal reservoir hosts. Our laboratory is also active in development and validation of diagnostic methods for emerging viruses, as well as transitional research on mucosal immunity to respiratory viruses and clinical studies on viral syndromes.
During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we studied viral shedding and virus isolation from clinical samples, created a SARS-CoV-2 biobank, performed molecular and phenotypic characterization and coinfection with other respiratory viruses in primary airway epithelial cells, as well as clinical and immunological studies. We continue to isolate and characterize new SARS-CoV-2 variants and study their phenotypes. Other viruses of interest are respiratory viruses, arboviruses and mpox.
The research group is closely linked to the HUG's virological diagnostics laboratory and Reference Centre for Emerging Viral Infections (CRIVE). The Centre houses the only P3 and P4D facilities in the canton of Geneva, located at the HUG, where our part of our research work is carried out.
We work closely with international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Foundation of Innovative Diagnostics (FIND) and Médecins sans frontières (MSF). We are part of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Epidemic and Pandemic diseases, nominated in 2023 to our Centre. In 2024, our laboratory was appointed as a member of CoViNet, an international expert laboratory network of WHO on SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses.
More information on the Pr. Isabella Eckerle-led research group's research funding, initiatives and affiliations can be found below.