Center for Infectious Disease Research and Vaccinology

South Dakota State University and University of South Dakota

Participating Academic Entities

           Department of Veterinary Science, South Dakota State University

           Department of Biology/Microbiology, South Dakota State University

           Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, University of South Dakota 

Center Mission: To foster research activities that will lead to the development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic technologies and products for infectious disease in humans and domestic animals.  

Center Funding:  Seed funding for the establishment of this center was a grant of $780,000 from the state of South Dakota received in July 2004.  The Center is expected to receive awards for the same amount from the state for each of an additional four years. Continuation of funding will come through competitively awarded grants from government agencies and non-profit organizations, and through corporate contracts.  Development of marketable intellectual property will also contribute to the funding of this center.

Projects to be pursued in the first 2 years of the Center Grant:

  • Development of Improved Diagnostic and Vaccination Strategies for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV).

  • Development of a Plant Based Vaccine for O157:H7 E. coli.

  • Development of an Oral Vaccine Delivery System Using Lactococcus lactis.

  • Development of Immunotherapeutics for Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies

  • Development of a needle-less delivery technology and an enteric E. coli vaccine for weanling pigs  

Strategies for creating sustainability of the biomedical research and development effort:

  • Expanding research capacity through strategic hires of new faculty, technical experts, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students

  • Promoting an environment of collaboration and cohesiveness

  • Mentoring junior scientists in career development and research productivity

  • Enhancing the training of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows

  • Fostering interest, and opportunities in research for gifted undergraduate students

  • Forming alliances with local biotechnical industries for the development of commercial products

  • Establishing a “for-profit” research and development company for investigator pursuit of  Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding .