PREVENT partners

Research | Patents, Facilities & Training

VIDO/InterVac

Patents

The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization/ International Vaccine Centre (VIDO/InterVac) is a recognized global leader in the field of vaccine development. Since its inception in 1975, VIDO has been awarded more than 80 U.S. patents and has commercialized eight technologies developed onsite into animal vaccines, seven of which have been described as world firsts.

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VIDO Facilities

VIDO's facilities include modern virology, immunology, bacteriology and biochemistry labs, Containment Level 2 laboratories and a research station capable of preclinical trials, as well as a 160-acre research station.

Construction of the new International Vaccine Centre (InterVac) will offer the largest Bio-safety Containment Level 3 vaccine research centre in Canada. This $146 million 150,000 square foot facility will provide the infrastructure required for Canada to complete world-class research on emerging infectious diseases in animals and in humans. The new InterVac facilities will help address a worldwide shortage of Containment Level 3 facilities.

Scientists at VIDO/InterVac will be able to conduct research on diseases such as hepatitis C, SARS, HIV, tuberculosis and avian influenza using InterVac's unique facilities to conduct infectious disease research in large animal models.

Training

The University of Saskatchewan mentors and trains graduate students in the broad areas of vaccinology and immunotherapeutics, with nearly 50 graduate students currently enrolled in various departments. With VIDO, graduate students have access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, with a recent facility expansion in 2003 and the new InterVac facility to be completed in 2010. Trainees have an opportunity to work in an organization with close links to academia and industry from around the world, fostering the development of real world skills and networking.

VIDO has a long history of providing research opportunities for graduate students, and VIDO's alumni go on to have successful careers, many holding senior positions in government, academia and the pharmaceutical industry around the world.


Did you know?
image of BSE

A group of brain diseases, including BSE (or mad cow disease) and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease of humans, are transmitted by "prions," which are infectious protein particles similar to a virus. BSE is carried by animal feed made from cattle brains or spinal cord, and ingestion of meat infected with the disease can cause CJD in humans. The brain of BSE-affected cows has a sponge-like appearance when tissue sections are examined in the lab.

Credit: Dr. Al Jenny.

Source: Public Health Image Library, APHIS, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

BACKGROUNDER

Immunization:
Inoculation and Vaccination

Inoculation (also known as variolation) was introduced to the west by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689-1762), who witnessed inoculation being
portrait of lady
practiced by physicians in Constantinople,[12] and was greatly impressed:[13] she had lost a brother to smallpox and bore facial scars from the disease herself. In 1718 she had the embassy surgeon inoculate her son, and in 1721, after returning to England, had her daughter inoculated[14]. In 1722 the Prince of Wales' daughters received inoculations[16].

The practice of inoculation slowly spread amongst the royal families of Europe, followed by general adoption amongst the rest of the population. Given the severe consequences of smallpox in Europe in the 18th century, many parents felt that the benefits outweighed the risks and so inoculated their children.[21] [22]

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