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Email

wkeitel@bcm.edu

Positions

Director, Vaccine Research Center (VRC)

Molecular Virology and Microbiology
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Professor

Molecular Virology and Microbiology
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Houston, TX US

Kyle and Josephine Morrow Chair in Molecular Virology and Microbiology

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Houston, Texas United States

Education

B.A. from Duke University

01/1973 - Durham, NC United States

M.D. from Duke University School Of Medicine

01/1977 - Durham, NC United States

Advanced Training from Duke University Affiliate Hospitals

01/1977 - Durham, NC United States

Advanced Training from Duke University Affiliate Hospitals

01/1978 - Durham, NC United States

Advanced Training from Duke University Affiliate Hospitals

01/1980 - Durham, NC United States

Advanced Training from Baylor College Of Medicine Affiliate Hospitals

01/1981 - Houston, TX United States

Professional Interests

• Vaccine development and evaluation

Professional Statement

Infectious diseases remain major causes of morbidity and mortality in human populations. Prevention of infection or illness by means of immunization is considered one of the greatest public health accomplishments of all times. We are interested in the development and evaluation of a number of vaccines, with a particular emphasis on prevention of respiratory infections and other emerging infectious diseases. Our group is involved in both the preclinical and clinical stages of vaccine development, including phase I to phase IV clinical trials. Recent research activities have focused on the development of live attenuated and improved inactivated influenza virus vaccines, including 2009 H1N1 vaccines and other candidate vaccines for control of pandemic influenza (H5, H7, and H9). We are also exploring immunization of pregnant women to protect both the mother and her baby against influenza and pertussis. Major goals for improved vaccines include enhancement of mucosal and cell-mediated immune responses. Several approaches are being explored to achieve these goals, including topical administration of antigens (oral or intranasal), increasing the dose of antigen, combined topical and parenteral immunization, and evaluation of candidate adjuvants. Other activities include evaluation of vaccines for prevention of smallpox, cytomegalovirus and rotavirus infections; and development of a human challenge model for Norovirus infection which can be used to evaluate vaccines and other control measures

Websites