Research

Innovative, proactive and interdisciplinary protection against epizootics and zoonoses

Epizootic diseases, emerging animal diseases and zoonoses pose a major challenge for society today and will continue to do so in future. With continuing globalisation, climate change and evolving animal husbandry systems, we can expect to see more new viruses emerging. New technologies and research approaches create new opportunities to develop sustainable solutions and to make sure we are well prepared to face future challenges.

As a Swiss federal research institute cooperating formally with the University of Bern, the IVI is unique in the way it combines basic research with its direct translation into solutions for epizootic outbreaks and emerging zoonoses. However, existing strong networks with other research institutions in Switzerland and abroad are also of crucial importance.

Strategic research priorities of the IVI:

• Characterising known and emerging viruses
• Characterising the immune systems of species with veterinary relevance
• Understanding host-pathogen interactions and pathogenesis
• Developing antiviral strategies such as vaccines to combat epizootics and zoonoses
• Applying and establishing state-of-the-art methods and platforms such as multi-omics technologies, bioinformatics, reverse genetics platforms and vaccine platforms in order to achieve our research objectives