The Global Virus Network (GVN) has expanded its international coalition by incorporating three distinguished Centers of Excellence located in the Americas, broadening its capacity to address pressing viral threats on a global scale.

About Global Virus Network (GVN)
The Global Virus Network (GVN) is a worldwide coalition of leading medical virology laboratories and experts dedicated to preventing and controlling global viral threats and facilitating pandemic preparedness. Founded in 2011 by Robert Gallo, William Hall, and the late Reinhard Kurth, the GVN connects top scientists to leverage their collective expertise, as no single institution possesses expertise in all viral areas. 

Mission and Goals
The GVN's mission is centered around three core principles: 

• Research: Fostering international collaboration to advance knowledge about how viruses cause disease and to develop new diagnostics, antiviral drugs, and vaccines.
• Education and Training: Training the next generation of virology leaders through mentorship programs, courses, and fellowships to address the global shortage of experts.
• Advocacy and Public Education: Serving as an authoritative source of science-driven information for the public, press, and policymakers, and advocating for sustained funding and evidence-based public health policies. 

Key Activities and Impact
The GVN responds to existing and emerging viral threats by:

• Establishing Task Forces: The GVN assembles expert task forces to address specific pathogens, such as the Chikungunya, Zika, Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV-1), and SARS-CoV-2 (including Long COVID) task forces.
• Enhancing Global Resources: The network has more than 80 Centers of Excellence and Affiliates in over 40 countries, working together to provide real-time virus informatics, surveillance, and response strategies.
• Convening Meetings and Webinars: GVN hosts international meetings and webinars to facilitate information exchange and collaboration among scientists, government agencies, and industry partners.
• Forming Strategic Partnerships: GVN collaborates with organizations like the WHO, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and a coalition of healthcare and pharmaceutical companies (including Moderna, Gilead, and Johnson & Johnson) to accelerate the development of countermeasures.
• Promoting local capacity: It works to expand research and manufacturing capacity, such as for mRNA vaccines, in low- and middle-income countries to build regional resilience and ensure equitable access to innovations. 

The GVN is a non-profit organization headquartered in Tampa, Florida, at the University of South Florida, with its scientific director, Robert C. Gallo, also directing the USF Health Institute for Translational Virology and Innovation. 

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