Center for Disease Vector Research

Mission

News Highlights

• March 27-28, 2010: International CDVR Symposium, "Facing the Challenge of Vector-borne Disease in the 21st Century"

• IIGB Researcher Paves Way for Mosquito Repellents
  
• Professor Alexander  Raikhel Elected to the National Academy of Sciences

Confronting the Rising Challenge of Vector¹-borne Diseases

During this century, humans will face new and unpredictable challenges due to the rise of novel vector-borne diseases, and the reemergence of preexisting ones. Rapid human population growth, climate change, and increased global travel and international trade create novel interactions with native reservoirs of potential pathogens, with consequences for the health of humans and domestic and wild animals, as well as crops and native plants. California, due to its international border, and the role that San Francisco and Los Angeles play as major ports of entry from Pacific Rim and South American countries, is particularly susceptible to the introduction of resurgent and novel diseases. Consequently, the Center for Disease-Vector Research seeks to address these pressing problems. Researchers at the Center will study vector-pathogen systems at the molecular, genetic and ecological levels and foster communication and idea cross-pollination between participating units, initiating collaborative research.

The Center for Disease Vector Research aims to become a world leader in adopting a comprehensive approach to the problem of vector-transmitted pathogens at both basic and applied research levels.

1. vector: a carrier that transfers an infective agent from one host to another

Events