Global collaboration for vaccine discovery: A novel approach to combat HIV

Dr. Leo Stamatatos of Seattle Biomedical Research Institute explains how researchers hope to fight the global HIV pandemic

The 2006-07 season of the Seattle Science & Technology Discovery Series concluded on June 8th with a presentation by Dr. Leo Stamatatos, principal investigator and director of the Viral Vaccines Program at Seattle Biomedical Research Institute.

Dr. Stamatatos explained the magnitude of the HIV pandemic and the challenges that researchers face in developing a vaccine for the virus, which, unlike many other viruses for which we vaccinate people, is constantly changing. He also shared with Discovery Series members how SBRI is partnering with other research organizations around the world on the development of an HIV vaccine. Backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this innovative collaboration employs rapid data-sharing and new methods, such as computer modeling for vaccine design, with the ambitious goal of finding a vaccine solution to the scourge of HIV within five years.

Did you know...?

• Approximately 40 million people worldwide are living with HIV, more than half of those in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Last year, more than 4 million new cases of HIV were diagnosed, at a rate of 11,000 infections per day.
• There are 2 types of vaccines that researchers are working on to combat HIV: neutralizing antibodies (which prevent infection from occurring) and “killer” T-cells (which target and eliminate infected cells).

The podcast of Dr. Stamatatos's presentation is available on the Technology Alliance's web site.

Thank you to our members and sponsors for another great season of science and technology for breakfast. See you in September!

2007-08 season preview:
September 14: Dr. Mark Roth, cell biologist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, on human hibernation.
October 12: Tom Vander Ark, president of the X Prize Foundation, on revolution through competition.
December 14: Dr. Chris Elias, president of PATH, on programs to advance global health.

Registration information for the 2007-08 season will be sent out shortly. Watch for it in your inbox!

The Science & Technology Discovery Series in Seattle is sponsored by:
AH&T, Inc., Perkins Coie, and Swedish Medical Center.

Bracing for bird flu?

Dr. Maxine Hayes of the Washington State Department of Health delivers some plain talk about preparing for a pandemic.

Washington State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes educated members about the potential for a flu pandemic and what government, the private sector, and the general public can do to respond to the threat, at the April 13th breakfast of the Seattle Science & Technology Discovery Series. Pointing out that there were three influenza pandemics in the 20th century, she noted that ours is the first generation to plan for pandemic flu and the severe disruption that it entails in an increasingly interdependent world. Dr. Hayes concluded her presentation by emphasizing that non-pharmacological responses will be most important in limiting the spread of flu when – not if – we are faced with the next pandemic.

Did you know...?

• Infectious disease is the #1 killer of humans. A pandemic is a large epidemic of disease occurring on several continents at the same time.
• While pandemic flu is garnering most of the attention, seasonal flu kills approximately 36,000 people in the United States each year.
• In the event of a pandemic, an estimated 30% of the population will not be able to go to work. Because 85% of our infrastructure is held by the private sector – not government – it is critical for the public and private sectors to work together now to ensure we can maintain continuity in the event of an outbreak.
• Among the non-pharmacological approaches that will be essential to slow the spread of pandemic flu: public understanding of and voluntary compliance with “social distancing,” isolation and quarantine, including school closures, working from home, and cancellation of public gatherings.

For more information on pandemic flu preparedness, visit www.doh.state.wa.gov.

The podcast of Dr. Hayes' presentation is available on the Technology Alliance web site.

Science & Technology Discovery Series is sponsored by:
AH&T, Perkins Coie, and Swedish Medical Center.