Guest Editors
Shailendra K. Saxena
Centre for Advanced Research, Faculty of Medicine, King George's Medical University (KGMU)
Dr. Shailendra K. Saxena is the vice dean and a professor at King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India. His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of host defense against human viral infections and developing predictive, preventive, and therapeutic strategies. He utilizes the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), HIV, and emerging viruses as models, employing stem cell and cell culture technologies.His research has been published in numerous high-impact journals, and he has received multiple awards and honors both in India and internationally, including several Young Scientist Awards, the BBSRC India Partnering Award, and the Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose Award. Dr. Saxena is a Fellow of several prestigious international societies and academies, including the Royal College of Pathologists (UK), the Royal Society of Medicine (London), the Royal Society of Biology (UK), the Royal Society of Chemistry (London), and the Academy of Translational Medicine Professionals (Austria).Dr. Saxena was named a global leader in science by The Scientist and serves as an international opinion leader on Japanese encephalitis vaccination for IPIC (UK). Additionally, he has been named among the World's Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University, California, USA, and recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate—honors highlighting his outstanding contributions to global research.
Swatantra Kumar
Centre for Advanced Research, Faculty of Medicine, King George's Medical University (KGMU)
Dr. Swatantra Kumar specializes in host-virus interactions and developing innovative strategies for preventing and treating viral infections. His research has significantly contributed to understanding and controlling encephalitis and emerging viral diseases. Dr. Kumar's work has developed therapeutics targeting encephalitis, which causes viruses to reduce microglial activation and enhance neuronal survival.In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Kumar and his colleagues were among the first to analyze the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2, uncovering key structural and antigenic differences from SARS-CoV. Their work led to the first spike glycoprotein model of SARS-CoV-2 and the identification of critical epitopes, paving the way for early COVID-19 vaccine development. Dr. Kumar has uncovered the SARS-CoV-2 replication mechanisms and host immune responses, contributing to effective therapeutic strategies. He has been involved in characterizing the highly transmissible Omicron variant, identifying important spike mutations linked to vaccine breakthrough cases.
Collection Overview
Virology research demands precise, reproducible methodologies to unravel viral mechanisms and immune responses, as well as develop effective diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. This Methods Collection aims to provide a comprehensive platform showcasing cutting-edge methodologies and protocols in virology research. It will include novel techniques such as high-throughput sequencing, viral imaging, and immunological assays, among others. Researchers can adopt or adapt these methods for their studies, accelerating advancements in virology and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.
By utilizing the visual format of JoVE, this initiative ensures that complex protocols are more accessible, reducing learning curves and enhancing global efforts to combat viral infections effectively. Moreover, the collection will bridge knowledge gaps by encouraging the open sharing of techniques across institutions and regions, particularly in areas with limited access to advanced research infrastructure.
Ultimately, the collection promotes innovation and reproducibility, equipping researchers with tools to tackle emerging viral threats and improve global health outcomes.
