Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute
@vgti.bsky.social
VGTI provides lifesaving solutions through transformative biomedical discovery and research, enabling the prevention and cure of global infectious diseases.
www.ohsu.edu/vaccine-gene-therapy-institute
www.ohsu.edu/vaccine-gene-therapy-institute
Pinned
Located on the OHSU West campus, the VGTI is a free-standing facility that includes access to biosafety level 3 laboratories, and state-of-the-art core technologies such as spatial profiling and transcriptomics, single cell transcriptomics, and flow cytometry. Current faculty engage in
In their new publication our Caposio, Frueh, and Hancock lab teams with their contributors, establish Notch pathway suppression as a critical viral strategy for reactivation and highlight potential therapeutic targets for preventing HCMV disease.
Read more at:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41660859/
Read more at:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41660859/
February 10, 2026 at 9:47 PM
In their new publication our Caposio, Frueh, and Hancock lab teams with their contributors, establish Notch pathway suppression as a critical viral strategy for reactivation and highlight potential therapeutic targets for preventing HCMV disease.
Read more at:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41660859/
Read more at:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41660859/
Amazing work by our Okoye, Hansen, Estes, Axthelm, Picker lab teams with their contributors, on their new publication investigating treatments using barcoded SIVmac239 in rhesus macaques!
Read more about SIV by visiting:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41617893/
Read more about SIV by visiting:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41617893/
February 3, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Amazing work by our Okoye, Hansen, Estes, Axthelm, Picker lab teams with their contributors, on their new publication investigating treatments using barcoded SIVmac239 in rhesus macaques!
Read more about SIV by visiting:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41617893/
Read more about SIV by visiting:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41617893/
Congratulations to our Okoye, Estes, Axthelm, and Picker Lab teams with their contributors on their new publication which investigates the magnitude and activation of SIV-specific CD8+ T cells.
Read more about SIV T Cell responses by visiting the below link.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41609736/
Read more about SIV T Cell responses by visiting the below link.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41609736/
February 2, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Congratulations to our Okoye, Estes, Axthelm, and Picker Lab teams with their contributors on their new publication which investigates the magnitude and activation of SIV-specific CD8+ T cells.
Read more about SIV T Cell responses by visiting the below link.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41609736/
Read more about SIV T Cell responses by visiting the below link.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41609736/
In this recently updated publication our Frueh, Streblow, and Hansen lab teams with their contributors, explore Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encoding and four viral Fc-gamma receptors (vFcγRs) that counteract antibody-mediated activation in vitro.
Read more at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39885150/
Read more at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39885150/
January 28, 2026 at 5:47 PM
In this recently updated publication our Frueh, Streblow, and Hansen lab teams with their contributors, explore Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encoding and four viral Fc-gamma receptors (vFcγRs) that counteract antibody-mediated activation in vitro.
Read more at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39885150/
Read more at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39885150/
In their new publication, our Sacha affiliate lab with their contributors, explore the association with ccf-mtDNA dynamics in acute and chronic HIV infections.
Read more at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41556528/
Read more at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41556528/
January 26, 2026 at 8:42 PM
In their new publication, our Sacha affiliate lab with their contributors, explore the association with ccf-mtDNA dynamics in acute and chronic HIV infections.
Read more at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41556528/
Read more at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41556528/
In this review, our Hessell and Haigwood affiliate lab team with their contributors, address human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as a strategy for treating and preventing viral infections in pediatric populations.
Read the full article at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40174915/
Read the full article at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40174915/
December 1, 2025 at 5:33 PM
In this review, our Hessell and Haigwood affiliate lab team with their contributors, address human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as a strategy for treating and preventing viral infections in pediatric populations.
Read the full article at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40174915/
Read the full article at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40174915/
Our Bimber affiliate lab team with their contributors, recently published a paper where they seek to understand the degree and implications of intraspecies structural variation is essential to all biomedical research using rhesus macaques as a model.
November 26, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Our Bimber affiliate lab team with their contributors, recently published a paper where they seek to understand the degree and implications of intraspecies structural variation is essential to all biomedical research using rhesus macaques as a model.
In their newly published paper, our Frueh Lab with their contributors characterized the outcome of primary rhesus CMV (RhCMV) infection in pregnant, immunocompetent, RhCMV-naïve rhesus macaques. This model provides new insights into the complexity of CMV vertical transmission and...
November 25, 2025 at 6:32 PM
In their newly published paper, our Frueh Lab with their contributors characterized the outcome of primary rhesus CMV (RhCMV) infection in pregnant, immunocompetent, RhCMV-naïve rhesus macaques. This model provides new insights into the complexity of CMV vertical transmission and...
In this study, our Picker and Hansen lab teams with their contributors, provide preliminary evidence that combining their selected orthogonal antiviral mechanisms can offer increased protection against SIV.
Read the full article here:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40529575/
Read the full article here:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40529575/
November 11, 2025 at 5:22 PM
In this study, our Picker and Hansen lab teams with their contributors, provide preliminary evidence that combining their selected orthogonal antiviral mechanisms can offer increased protection against SIV.
Read the full article here:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40529575/
Read the full article here:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40529575/
In this publication, our Frueh Lab and their contributors, expand on their previous findings related to HLA-E surface expression. This updated study reveals previously unrecognized endosomal trafficking pathways and regulatory mechanisms that distinguish HLA-E from classical HLA class I molecules.
October 28, 2025 at 4:44 PM
In this publication, our Frueh Lab and their contributors, expand on their previous findings related to HLA-E surface expression. This updated study reveals previously unrecognized endosomal trafficking pathways and regulatory mechanisms that distinguish HLA-E from classical HLA class I molecules.
In their recent publication, our Streblow lab with their contributors, explore the emergence of mosquito-borne alphaviruses that cause chronic arthritis or encephalitis and highlight the urgent need for broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics.
Read more at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41090377/
Read more at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41090377/
October 22, 2025 at 6:13 PM
In their recent publication, our Streblow lab with their contributors, explore the emergence of mosquito-borne alphaviruses that cause chronic arthritis or encephalitis and highlight the urgent need for broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics.
Read more at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41090377/
Read more at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41090377/
Leronlimab directly binds the extracellular domains of CCR5, modulates downstream signaling and potentially can slow, reverse, or prevent fibrosis. In this proof‐of‐concept study, our Hansen Lab with contributors, demonstrated that leronlimab has a favorable safety profile and was well tolerated.
October 21, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Leronlimab directly binds the extracellular domains of CCR5, modulates downstream signaling and potentially can slow, reverse, or prevent fibrosis. In this proof‐of‐concept study, our Hansen Lab with contributors, demonstrated that leronlimab has a favorable safety profile and was well tolerated.
In this recent publication our Bimber, Hansen, Picker lab teams and their contributors demonstrate that systemic vaccination promotes a Trm cell response in barrier compartments and that Trm cells repurpose abundant neighboring stromal, parenchymal, and immune cells to amplify alarm signals...
October 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM
In this recent publication our Bimber, Hansen, Picker lab teams and their contributors demonstrate that systemic vaccination promotes a Trm cell response in barrier compartments and that Trm cells repurpose abundant neighboring stromal, parenchymal, and immune cells to amplify alarm signals...
Liver dysfunction is more common and severe among people with HIV than in the general population. In this recent publication, our Burwitz affiliate lab explores the correlation between different cell types in the IFN-1 response, focusing on macrophage subsets during the acute phase of SIV infection.
October 3, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Liver dysfunction is more common and severe among people with HIV than in the general population. In this recent publication, our Burwitz affiliate lab explores the correlation between different cell types in the IFN-1 response, focusing on macrophage subsets during the acute phase of SIV infection.
In their recent publication, our Tafesse affiliate lab with their contributors, explore SARS-CoV-2 and whether the patterns of host lipid rewiring remained consistent across variants and whether the changes in the abundance of lipid classes are related to changes in the expression...
September 30, 2025 at 9:09 PM
In their recent publication, our Tafesse affiliate lab with their contributors, explore SARS-CoV-2 and whether the patterns of host lipid rewiring remained consistent across variants and whether the changes in the abundance of lipid classes are related to changes in the expression...
In collaboration with Dr. Seley-Radtke’s group at the University of Maryland, our Hirsch lab has contributed to a study identifying a new series of thiophene-expanded tricyclic nucleosides as potential antiviral therapeutics. In addition, their corresponding prodrugs were also pursued to probe...
September 17, 2025 at 8:53 PM
In collaboration with Dr. Seley-Radtke’s group at the University of Maryland, our Hirsch lab has contributed to a study identifying a new series of thiophene-expanded tricyclic nucleosides as potential antiviral therapeutics. In addition, their corresponding prodrugs were also pursued to probe...
"Everything you always wanted to know about MHC-E, but were afraid to ask.... is covered in this Nature Review, the result of a team effort together with Louis Picker here at OHSU and Andrew McMichael, Geraldine Gillespie and Persephone Borrow from University of Oxford.
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September 4, 2025 at 5:03 PM
"Everything you always wanted to know about MHC-E, but were afraid to ask.... is covered in this Nature Review, the result of a team effort together with Louis Picker here at OHSU and Andrew McMichael, Geraldine Gillespie and Persephone Borrow from University of Oxford.
(continued)
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Our Sacha Affiliate Lab, with their contributors, have recently published a new study where they explored the impact of obesity on the gut microbiome and microbial translocation (MT) biomarkers during HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART). Amazing work done by all!
September 2, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Our Sacha Affiliate Lab, with their contributors, have recently published a new study where they explored the impact of obesity on the gut microbiome and microbial translocation (MT) biomarkers during HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART). Amazing work done by all!
This study by Dr Hansen et al. demonstrates that CMV-based vaccines protect against SIV even when highly attenuated by deleting a glycoprotein essential for CMV entry. The remarkable ability to uncouple viral spreading from its immunogenicity is a unique feature of CMV based vectors and...
August 29, 2025 at 9:37 PM
This study by Dr Hansen et al. demonstrates that CMV-based vaccines protect against SIV even when highly attenuated by deleting a glycoprotein essential for CMV entry. The remarkable ability to uncouple viral spreading from its immunogenicity is a unique feature of CMV based vectors and...
This recently published paper titled, "An immune-focused supplemental alignment pipeline captures information missed from dominant single-cell RNA-seq analyses, including allele-specific MHC-I regulation" showcases an incredible collaboration between between the VGTI Labs and Affiliate Labs.
August 22, 2025 at 5:59 PM
This recently published paper titled, "An immune-focused supplemental alignment pipeline captures information missed from dominant single-cell RNA-seq analyses, including allele-specific MHC-I regulation" showcases an incredible collaboration between between the VGTI Labs and Affiliate Labs.
There are currently no approved therapies or vaccines for Powassan virus infection. In this recent publication, our Hirsch lab and their contributors, developed a POW virus-like particle (POW-VLP) based vaccine adjuvanted with the novel synthetic Toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist INI-4001.
August 21, 2025 at 5:28 PM
There are currently no approved therapies or vaccines for Powassan virus infection. In this recent publication, our Hirsch lab and their contributors, developed a POW virus-like particle (POW-VLP) based vaccine adjuvanted with the novel synthetic Toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist INI-4001.
Our Hancock, Caposio, and Streblow Labs with their contributors, have recently published this review on the current understanding of HCMV latency. They focus on cross-cutting principles derived collectively from in vitro experimental culture models and in vivo animal models using the...
August 7, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Our Hancock, Caposio, and Streblow Labs with their contributors, have recently published this review on the current understanding of HCMV latency. They focus on cross-cutting principles derived collectively from in vitro experimental culture models and in vivo animal models using the...
Reposted by Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute
OHSU researchers have identified a gene that plays a crucial role in the brain's ability to form #myelin, potentially opening new doors to treatments for a rare childhood disorder and more common diseases such as #MultipleSclerosis. www.miragenews.com/gene-linked-...
Gene Linked to Widespread Disorders Identified
Discovery may open the way for new treatments for multiple sclerosis, leukodystrophies
OHSU researchers discover a gene that helps cells
www.miragenews.com
August 6, 2025 at 1:08 AM
OHSU researchers have identified a gene that plays a crucial role in the brain's ability to form #myelin, potentially opening new doors to treatments for a rare childhood disorder and more common diseases such as #MultipleSclerosis. www.miragenews.com/gene-linked-...
In this incredible collaboration our Estes, Okoye, Axthelm, Hansen, Picker, Bimber affiliate and lab teams— present the RIRA, the first immune-focused macaque single-cell multi-tissue atlas. They contrasted transcriptional profiles against immune lineages, using...
August 5, 2025 at 5:11 PM
In this incredible collaboration our Estes, Okoye, Axthelm, Hansen, Picker, Bimber affiliate and lab teams— present the RIRA, the first immune-focused macaque single-cell multi-tissue atlas. They contrasted transcriptional profiles against immune lineages, using...
Recently publishing a paper on Yellow Fever our Burwitz, Axthelm, Estes, Bimber, and Sacha affiliate lab teams, further expand the potential clinical use of our YFV-specific nmAb. Which could be used during an outbreak for immediate prophylactic immunity or for patients with measurable serum viremia
July 31, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Recently publishing a paper on Yellow Fever our Burwitz, Axthelm, Estes, Bimber, and Sacha affiliate lab teams, further expand the potential clinical use of our YFV-specific nmAb. Which could be used during an outbreak for immediate prophylactic immunity or for patients with measurable serum viremia