Respiratory Infectious Disease
The Department of Physiological Sciences, in collaboration with the other Academic Departments at the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Oklahoma Center for Respiratory Infectious Diseases (OCRID) brings together scientists and their research programs investigating how viruses and bacteria cause respiratory diseases and how the body responds to this challenge.
Within OCRID, Department of Physiological Sciences faculty lead programs investigating host-pathogen interactions during respiratory infections, with a focus on understanding how host factors regulate viral and bacterial pathogens. For respiratory viruses such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2, the team explores how non-coding RNAs and cellular signaling pathways influence viral replication and pathogenesis, aiming to identify novel host-targeted antiviral strategies that can overcome viral resistance. In addition, these efforts also examine post-COVID-19 lung injury and fibrosis, uncovering mechanisms of long-term complications and potential therapeutic approaches.
An additional dedicated research team bridging Physiological Sciences and OCRID studies the molecular biology of viral infections, with a focus on coronaviruses and arteriviruses, to inform the development of vaccines and antiviral therapies. This research spans virus–host interactions and immune evasion, rational design of live-attenuated vaccines, and discovery of protease inhibitors as antiviral drugs. Using advanced tools such as reverse genetics, CRISPR-Cas, and transgenic animal models in BSL-2 and BSL-3 facilities, these investigators work to identify viral “weak spots” that can be targeted for treatment. This work not only deepens understanding of viral pathogenesis and drug resistance but also strengthens preparedness for future emerging viral threats.