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Appendix D.1
State Research Center of Virology
and Biotechnology Vector
The State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology Vector is one of
the largest Russian research and production complexes in the fields of biology
and biotechnology. The center’s scientific interest is the study of viral infec-
tious pathogens, with the aim of combating diseases and providing biological
protection for Russian citizens. Basic research is focused on molecular biology,
virology, genetic engineering, biotechnology, epidemiology, and ecology. The
assets of Vector include more than 140 highly qualified researchers and engineers
with Ph.D. degrees, together with state-of-the-art experimental facilities, includ-
ing high-containment facilities for the study of dangerous human and animal
pathogens.
The International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) research activi-
ties in infectious disease research and the potential role of Vector were initially
considered during a special seminar at Vector in December 1994. Two research
projects—devoted to the development of hepatitis A and measles vaccines—were
initiated. Within 2 years, both vaccines were being produced in Russia. However,
the success of these initial projects did not lead immediately to further ISTC sup-
port, even in an environment of decreased funding throughout Russia for biomed-
ical research during the late 1990s. The U.S. National Academy of Sciences and
the Institute of Medicine prepared an important report on bioengagement in 1997
that led to further projects supported by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency
of the U.S. Department of Defense. Then, following an international meeting in
June 1999 in Stockholm, the Department of State launched the BioTechnology
Engagement Program (BTEP), which was very actively supported by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, and soon involved Vector.
In 2000, BTEP helped start a few large-scale research projects, including
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194 APPENDIX D.1
studies of (a) molecular diversity and epidemiology of hepatitis C, (b) epidemi-
ology of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome viruses, and (c) smallpox and
monkeypox genome sequence diversity. Numerous other cooperative projects in
the biomedical sciences were also initiated in Russia, including projects at Vec-
tor, with support from various U.S. agencies. A number of projects were devoted
to studying the molecular epidemiology of pathogens of public health impor-
tance in Russia: viral hepatitis, intestinal infections, influenza virus, tuberculosis,
rubella, measles, HIV, herpes, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. Also,
research concerning an HIV vaccine was initiated. Public health projects were
later supported by Russian funding agencies as well. Aerobiology of sensitive
pathogens was supported and led to the series of well-accepted publications in
international journals. Another group of projects was devoted to upgrading bio-
safety and biosecurity systems by sharing best practices in design, installation,
and operation of engineering systems, which were installed and have been suc-
cessfully maintained at Vector for many years.
International funding allowed for (a) the purchase of materials, reagents, and
modern laboratory equipment, (b) disbursement of research grants for individual
scientists and teams of scientists, and (c) travel to conferences. The result of these
concerted efforts was to bring Russian laboratories up to international standards,
while stabilizing the financial situation at Vector and other facilities. In 2002,
international funding accounted for more than 25 percent of Vector’s budget.
Vector and the State Research Center for Applied Microbiology in Obolensk
were initially under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Social Develop-
ment, but in 2005 they were moved under the supervision of the Federal Service
for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being. The
active engagement of the Federal Service with the two centers provided steady
financial support for their research activities.
By 2004, international funding of biosciences projects at Vector had begun
to decrease, in part because of (a) policies of the Federal Service and Ministry
of Health and (b) U.S. insistence of U.S. agencies that Vector scientists agree not
to accept funding from certain foreign organizations that did not support U.S.
nonproliferation objectives. Funding from international sources has largely been
replaced by increasing Russian government support.
The current world-class scientific research conducted at Vector would not
have been possible without the intellectual, financial, and engineering invest-
ments from foreign partners, including the ISTC, CRDF, U.S. government agen-
cies, and international organizations.
SOURCE: Multiple sources including Vector and committee members.
