Center for Virology and Vaccine Research (CVVR)

The Center for Virology and Vaccine Research (CVVR) at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center aims to promote research and education activities related to virology, vaccinology, and related disciplines, including basic, translational, and clinical vaccine research. The Center consists of primary and affiliate faculty and focuses on the development of vaccines against infectious, oncologic, degenerative, and other diseases.

Research Programs

Reproductive Immunology and Virology

Tissue Biology

Medical Bioengineer Working On Development Vaccines 2019-ncov Coronavirus In Pharmacy Laboratory. Bl

Technology Development and Applications

Neuro-Virology/Immunology

Tubes of blood sample for testing in the lab

Viral Pathogenesis

Translational Immunology

CVVR Clinical Trials

The mission of the CVVR Clinical Trials Unit is the development of novel preventive and therapeutic approaches to viral illnesses such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Zika Virus and COVID-19.

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Join the Volunteer Registry

Core Facilities

Flow Cytometry Core

The Flow Cytometry Core facility provides equipment, and consultation and data analysis services by dedicated personnel to both in-house and outside researchers. Areas of expertise include non-human primate (NHP) and infectious disease research. The Flow Cytometry Core is committed to providing the latest software and equipment to better assist peer researchers. The Flow Cytometry Core facility is affiliated with Harvard University and is supported by the NIH Center for AIDS Research (CFAR).
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Harvard Catalyst-red on white

Harvard Catalyst Clinical Research Center

The Harvard Catalyst Clinical Research Center (CRC) is a core facility provided to all Beth Isreal Deaconess Medical Center investigators as well as affiliated Harvard faculty for the conduct of clinical trials. The CRC provides contiguous space for inpatient, outpatient, and administrative support activities and is located at BIDMC. CRC staff includes nurses, dieticians, a laboratory assistant, and a unit coordinator. The unit is open for patient activity 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

HIV-1 Neutralizing Antibody Core

The HIV-1 Neutralizing Antibody Core provides in vitro HIV-1 neutralizing antibody assay services to BIDMC and the external research community. The core is GCLP-compliant; it serves as a resource for assessing the breadth and potency of HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies, and for characterizing the neutralization phenotype of HIV-1 isolates.
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CVVR Academic Program

In addition to material and technical support, the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research offers a rich intellectual environment for early stage investigators and students. CVVR hosts weekly meetings for its postdoctoral fellows and graduate students to discuss ongoing work, as well as bi-monthly journal club lunches and weekly CVVR seminars with invited speakers. All postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty are encouraged to submit abstracts and to attend conferences and other professional meetings.

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Young Investigators

The Young Investigator Committee identifies critical issues affecting young and early career investigators working within CVVR. The Committee connects junior faculty, senior postdoctoral fellows, and other researchers with the goal of building fruitful collaborations, finding solutions to the challenges in research, and developing careers.

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Upcoming Events

2023-01-18/by Morgana Souza

CVVR- Dog Therapy Session with Asti

Boston Globe

2023-01-06/by Morgana Souza

Beth Israel researcher wins $200,000 award for helping to create COVID vaccine for J&J

Dan Barouch is being honored by the King Faisal Foundation, based in Saudi Arabia. Read Article

2022-10-27/by Morgana Souza

What you need to know about covid boosters and the latest research

For scientists, these data are evidence of immunological imprinting, or antigenic sin — when a person’s first exposure to the virus biases their later responses. Future vaccine strategy will…

2022-10-20/by Morgana Souza

Omicron subvariants reflect a ‘viral evolution on steroids’

A new study suggests that the subvariant BA.4.6 can cause reinfections. A slew of other subvariants on the horizon may do the same. Read Article

CNN

2022-06-23/by Morgana Souza

New coronavirus subvariants escape antibodies from vaccination and prior Omicron infection, studies suggest

Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 appear to escape antibody responses among both people who had previous Covid-19 infection and those who have been fully vaccinated and boosted, according to…

2022-06-01/by Morgana Souza

There’s still no HIV vaccine. The science behind coronavirus shots may help.

“I’m not afraid to say that I cried,” recalled Stephenson, a researcher at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Read Article

2022-05-30/by Morgana Souza

CVVR X Boston Children’s Hospital Blood Drive

Nat Geo

2022-04-25/by Morgana Souza

Here’s what we know about the BA.2 Omicron subvariant driving a new COVID-19 wave

“Ongoing transmission of BA.2 is probably related both to the increased transmissibility of the virus together with the reduction of pandemic restrictions,” says Dan Barouch. Read Artic…

Boston Globe

2022-04-24/by Morgana Souza

Scientists to FDA: Don’t forget about T cells

In the face of waning antibody immunity to the coronavirus, scientists demand more attention on T cell immunity which may be more durable. Read article

2022-04-19/by Morgana Souza

HU CFAR Newsletter- April 2022

[pdf-embedder url="https://cvvr.hms.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/april_2022_hu_cfar_newsletter.pdf"]

NYT

2022-03-19/by Morgana Souza

Another Covid Surge May Be Coming. Are We Ready for It?

A lab study published last week found that vaccinated people who were infected with Omicron, a COVID-19 variant, had high levels of antibodies that would probably protect against BA.2. If the…

2022-03-19/by Morgana Souza

As picture of Covid vaccine durability gets clearer, J&J makes a strong showing

This week, Pfizer and Moderna asked the FDA to authorize fourth doses of their vaccines. Meanwhile, a new study shows protection from one J&J shot lasts at least six months. Read Article

WBZ

2022-02-24/by Morgana Souza

New Studies Shed Light On The Severity And Transmissibility Of BA.2 Variant

While the number of cases of the Omicron variant has been decreasing over the past few weeks, health officials are concerned about the BA.2 variant, which appears to be more transmissible than…

2023-01-18/by Morgana Souza

CVVR- Dog Therapy Session with Asti

2022-05-30/by Morgana Souza

CVVR X Boston Children’s Hospital Blood Drive

2021-12-16/by Morgana Souza

2021 Bostonians of the Year

Meet the pioneering scientist, the trailblazing mayor, and other standouts whose drive, ingenuity, and compassion are getting vaccines in arms and giving us a shot at a just future for all. Dr.…

MAlotteryceltics

2021-10-25/by Morgana Souza

The Boston Celtics Awards Dr. Barouch The Heroes Among Us Award

MHTC

2021-09-27/by Morgana Souza

Congrats to Dr. Barouch for receiving the 2021 Ray Stata Award

Dr. Barouch spoke about his vaccine work at the 2021 Mass High Tech Council (MHTC). As part of this annual event, he was awarded the Ray Stata Leadership and Innovation Award for 2021 . This…

2021-08-31/by Morgana Souza

CVVR- Dog Therapy Session with Max

2021-08-10/by Morgana Souza

CVVR- Dog Therapy Session with Harry

2021-03-03/by Morgana Souza

Thank you from Lehigh University- Dr. Tartaglia & class

2020-06-18/by Morgana Souza

2020 ID Division Awards

2020-06-12/by Morgana Souza

Secretary Azar, Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov Polito, and Mass HHS Secretary Sudders visit to BIDMC

Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar joined Dr. Barouch for an important discussion about our COVID-19 vaccine response.…

2019-12-18/by Academic Web Pages

Medical All-Stars

The Boston Red Sox honored Dr.Stephenson on June 7th,2019 as a Medical All-Star for her work in the HIV research field.

2019-12-18/by Academic Web Pages

2019 CVVR Visiting Professor

We were honored to have Dr. Robert Siliciano, MD, PhD. join us for our annual visiting professor this year.

2019-06-25/by Academic Web Pages

2019 Boston Pride Parade

Members of CVVR joined Team BIDMC for the 2019 Boston Pride Parade.

Boston Globe

2023-01-06/by Morgana Souza

Beth Israel researcher wins $200,000 award for helping to create COVID vaccine for J&J

Dan Barouch is being honored by the King Faisal Foundation, based in Saudi Arabia. Read Article

2022-10-27/by Morgana Souza

What you need to know about covid boosters and the latest research

For scientists, these data are evidence of immunological imprinting, or antigenic sin — when a person’s first exposure to the virus biases their later responses. Future vaccine strategy will…

2022-10-20/by Morgana Souza

Omicron subvariants reflect a ‘viral evolution on steroids’

A new study suggests that the subvariant BA.4.6 can cause reinfections. A slew of other subvariants on the horizon may do the same. Read Article

CNN

2022-06-23/by Morgana Souza

New coronavirus subvariants escape antibodies from vaccination and prior Omicron infection, studies suggest

Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 appear to escape antibody responses among both people who had previous Covid-19 infection and those who have been fully vaccinated and boosted, according to…

2022-06-01/by Morgana Souza

There’s still no HIV vaccine. The science behind coronavirus shots may help.

“I’m not afraid to say that I cried,” recalled Stephenson, a researcher at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Read Article

Nat Geo

2022-04-25/by Morgana Souza

Here’s what we know about the BA.2 Omicron subvariant driving a new COVID-19 wave

“Ongoing transmission of BA.2 is probably related both to the increased transmissibility of the virus together with the reduction of pandemic restrictions,” says Dan Barouch. Read Artic…

Boston Globe

2022-04-24/by Morgana Souza

Scientists to FDA: Don’t forget about T cells

In the face of waning antibody immunity to the coronavirus, scientists demand more attention on T cell immunity which may be more durable. Read article

2022-04-19/by Morgana Souza

HU CFAR Newsletter- April 2022

[pdf-embedder url="https://cvvr.hms.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/april_2022_hu_cfar_newsletter.pdf"]

NYT

2022-03-19/by Morgana Souza

Another Covid Surge May Be Coming. Are We Ready for It?

A lab study published last week found that vaccinated people who were infected with Omicron, a COVID-19 variant, had high levels of antibodies that would probably protect against BA.2. If the…

2022-03-19/by Morgana Souza

As picture of Covid vaccine durability gets clearer, J&J makes a strong showing

This week, Pfizer and Moderna asked the FDA to authorize fourth doses of their vaccines. Meanwhile, a new study shows protection from one J&J shot lasts at least six months. Read Article

WBZ

2022-02-24/by Morgana Souza

New Studies Shed Light On The Severity And Transmissibility Of BA.2 Variant

While the number of cases of the Omicron variant has been decreasing over the past few weeks, health officials are concerned about the BA.2 variant, which appears to be more transmissible than…

NYMag

2022-02-19/by Morgana Souza

How Worried Should We Be About the BA.2 Omicron Subvariant?

While the rise of another strain has some Americans stressed over the prospect of yet another wave of cases, it may not be time to panic just yet. Read Article

2022-02-18/by Morgana Souza

New Covid Variants Complicate the Question of Vaccine Mandates

Officials mulling new pandemic policies need to know how quickly vaccine protection wanes. But scientists don't have a clear answer. Read Article

All News & Events >

Selected Publications

Immunogenicity of BA.5 Bivalent mRNA Vaccine Boosters

NEJM, 2023. Read Article

A genetically engineered, stem-cell-derived cellular vaccine

Cell Reports Medicine, 2022. Read Article

Neutralization Escape by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Subvariant BA.4.6

NEJM, 2022. Read Article

Covid-19 Vaccines – Immunity, Variants, Boosters

NEJM, 2022. Read Article

CD8 T Cells Contribute to Vaccine Protection Against SARS-CoV-2 in Macaques

Science Immunology, 2022. Read Article

Neutralization Escape by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Subvariants BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5

NEJM, 2022. Read Article

mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccines elicit antibodies with differences in Fc-mediated effector functions

Science Translational Medicne, 2022. Read Article

Vaccine protection against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in macaques

Cell, 2022. Read Article

Neutralization of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 Variants

NEJM, 2022. Read Article

Spatial and Genomic Correlates of HIV-1 Integration Site Targeting

Cells, 2022. Read Article

Final Analysis of Efficacy and Safety of Single-Dose Ad26.COV2.S

NEJM, 2022. Read Article

Vaccines Elicit Highly Conserved Cellular Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron

Nature, 2022. Read Article

Differential Kinetics of Immune Responses Elicited by Covid-19 Vaccines

NEJM, 2021. Read Article

Immunogenicity of Ad26.COV2.S vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants in humans

Nature, 2021. Read Article

Durable Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses 8 Months after Ad26.COV2.S Vaccination

NEJM, 2021. Read Article

Immunogenicity of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines in Pregnant and Lactating Women

JAMA, 2021. Read Article

Immunogenicity of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines in Pregnant and Lactating Women

JAMA, 2021. Read Article

Immunogenicity of the Ad26.COV2.S Vaccine for COVID-19

JAMA, 2021. Read Article

A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase 1 Study of Ad26.ZIKV.001, an Ad26-Vectored Anti-Zika Virus Vaccine

Ann Intern Med, 2021. Read Article

Interim Results of a Phase 1–2a Trial of Ad26.COV2.S Covid-19 Vaccine

The New England Journal of Medicine, 2021. Read Article

Correlates of protection against SARS-CoV-2 in rhesus macaques

Nature, 2020. Read Article

Vascular Disease and Thrombosis in SARS-CoV-2-Infected Rhesus Macaques

Cell, 2020. Read Article

Ad26 vaccine protects against SARS-CoV-2 severe clinical disease in hamsters

Nature Medicine, 2020. Read Article

Approaches and Challenges in SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Development

Cell Host Microbe, 2020. Read Article

Single-shot Ad26 vaccine protects against SARS-CoV-2 in rhesus macaques

Nature, 2020. Read Article

All Publications >

Research Programs

CVVR Clinical Trials

Core Facilities

Flow Cytometry Core

Harvard Catalyst Clinical Research Center

HIV-1 Neutralizing Antibody Core

CVVR Academic Program

Young Investigators

Upcoming Events

Seminar Series- Ignacio Sanz

Seminar Series-Catherine Jacob Dolan

Seminar Series-Ai-ris Collier

Seminar Series-Ursula Buchholz

Seminar Series-Gabe Dagotto

Center for Virology and Vaccine Research

CVVR Clinical Trials Unit

Affiliates