The new director of the Institute of Virology in Innsbruck, Gisa Gerold, keeps an eye on potentially dangerous pathogens and knows how important it is to be prepared for the next pandemic. Because this “will come,” she emphasizes.
“Five years after the start of the pandemic, I probably no longer have to explain how important virology is,” says MedUni rector Wolfgang Fleischhacker, who introduces Gisa Gerold. The new director of the Institute of Virology took over the position from Dorothee von Laer on November 1.
Via Berlin and New York to Innsbruck
Gerold, who has held positions at the Max Planck Institute in Berlin, Rockefeller University in New York and Umea University in Sweden, among others, would like to offer modern education in Innsbruck, keep diagnostics high and also involve the public in the work of de Let virologists participate – for example online via virologie.i-med.ac.at
In her research, the North German focuses on preparing for pandemics and newly emerging viruses. She conducts intensive research into pathogens that are increasingly entering Europe from southern regions.
“The next pandemic will come”
Gerold also agrees with the opinion of many virologists: “The next pandemic is coming. We see outbreaks every five to 10 years,” she points out, referring to Zika, dengue fever and swine flu.
Bird flu is currently being monitored particularly closely. “We know that the current type of virus can be transmitted to mammals,” the scientist explains. Transmission to humans is currently unlikely, but not excluded. “However, the current version ensures low mortality.” However, contact with other flu viruses could result in a more dangerous pathogen entering the body.
Vaccine development faster than before
MedUni and AGES have established test methods just in case. The virologist also sees the research being prepared for the next possible pandemic: “We have a platform technology that can be quickly adapted to new viruses. You cannot develop a vaccine overnight, but we used to talk about periods of 10 to 15 years.”
Source: Krone
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