INFECTIOUS DISEASE FOCUS
THROWING BIG WEIGHT AT A TINY FOE
USAMRDC scientists demonstrate a “sham” aerosol experiment with SARS-CoV-2 in a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). The effort allows investigators to model the course of respiratory infections. (Photo by Ondraya Frick, USAMRIID/Aerobiology)
As the U.S. Department of Defense continues its effort to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC), Ft. Detrick, MD, similarly advances its work in aiding both DoD and the nation to prevent, detect and treat COVID-19. Given the substantial and well-documented amount of pandemic-related research and medical materiel developed and funded by USAMRDC during the past year, it seems only logical to dive into more detail regarding the Command’s current and future efforts.
C&CC: As we enter the first quarter of 2021, in what specific ways is USAMRDC continuing to help combat the novel coronavirus pandemic?
COL Tyner: The U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command is leveraging its expertise in infectious disease research through its global research network and established partnerships with industry and COL Stuart D. Tyner academia to lead efforts to prevent, detect and treat COVID-19. In terms of prevention, USAMRDC scientists have developed a vaccine prototype and are preparing to initiate a Phase Combat & Casualty Care had the opportunity to speak with several 1 (first-in-human) Clinical Trial this spring. Additionally, USAMRDC key members of USAMRDC, including COL Stuart D. Tyner, Director, scientists produced a highly-detailed, atomic-level view of the SARSUSAMRDC Medical Infectious Diseases Research Program; Dr. Mark CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) spike protein receptor binding T. Dertzbaugh, USAMRDC Acting Principal Assistant for Research and domain. This breakthrough has been critical to vaccine discovery and Technology; and Leigh Anne Alexander, Deputy Project Manager of the development efforts by providing a resource map for the field for Warfighter Expeditionary Medicine and Treatment Project Management vaccine design. Other key efforts include the development of animal Office at USAMRDC’s U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity, models for the testing of vaccine and therapeutic candidates, as regarding both current research efforts and forward-looking pandemicwell as monoclonal antibody development through government and related medical research prioritization. 12 | Combat & Casualty Care | Spring 2021
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