Scientists in the Center for Drug Discovery discover and develop new drugs for combating life-threatening diseases caused by infectious viruses and microbes. Examples of infectious viruses include the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B, hepatitis C, avian flu, and emerging DNA and RNA viruses. An example of an infectious microbe is antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis.

The center’s researchers also explore therapies for diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and Alzheimer's disease.

In addition to its research and education work at the University of Georgia (UGA), the center promotes and develops connections between UGA and other research institutions, government agencies and pharmaceutical companies at the regional, national and international levels.

Worth noting: In 2007, Dr. Vasu Nair, the center’s director and a GRA Eminent Scholar, received the prestigious Volwiler Research Achievement Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).  

Institutions involved: University of Georgia

Research focus: The center’s research focus is discovering and developing new drugs to treat:

• Diseases caused by infectious viruses, among them the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), avian influenza viruses, and emerging DNA and RNA viruses
• Diseases caused by infectious microbial agents, such as antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis
• Other diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and Alzheimer's disease

GRA investment: The center is led by GRA Eminent Scholar Dr. Vasu Nair.

Web site: http://www.uga-cdd.org/