 The Drexel Institute for Biotechnology and Virology Research (DIBVR) is a research division of Drexel University College of Medicine, and is the result of an innovative academic partnership between Drexel University and the Hepatitis B Foundation, a national nonprofit research organization. DIBVR faculty share space and resources with the Hepatitis B Foundation and its research institute in the 62,000 square foot Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center located in Doylestown, PA.
The Drexel Institute is dedicated to virology, and viral hepatitis research in particular. It specializes in molecular virology, proteomics, glycobiology, and antiviral and vaccine research. A complementary goal of the Drexel Institute is to nurture biotechnology development in the region.
The outstanding faculty, scientists and staff are all encouraged to utilize the extensive research facilities at the Drexel Institute and interact with the nonprofit research organizations and commercial enterprises located at the PA Biotech Center, where such partnerships might be mutually beneficial. Faculty, staff and students of Drexel University will work closely with the Hepatitis B Foundation and its research institute, the Institute for Hepatitis and Virus Research, in drug discovery and translational biotechnology.
The driving force behind these interlocking and complementary nonprofit and academic institutions is Timothy Block, Ph.D., Director of Drexel Institute and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, who also serves as the volunteer President of the Hepatitis B Foundation and its research institute.
Research Partnership Programs
Research activities of DIBVR faculty include: advanced virology research, antiviral drug discovery, proteomics of cancer and biomarker discovery, gene therapy, and vaccine discovery and delivery systems.
Research activities of DIBVR scientists are complemented and enhanced by the more targeted efforts of the scientists and staff of the Hepatitis B Foundation and its Institute for Hepatitis and Virus Research.
In cooperation with the Ben Franklin Technology Center of Southeastern Pennsylvania, DIBVR has been established as a Ben Franklin Innovations Center. We will provide research and educational resources where commercial and academic scientists will work together to advance partnerships in the areas of medical biotechnology and to promote the development of a highly skilled workforce in this region of Pennsylvania.
Space and resources have been licensed to commercial enterprises within the PA Biotech Center to nurture the development of basic research to commercially useful ends. As such, DIBVR faculty will have collaborative opportunities with commercial entities.
Education and Training Programs
Courses are available through the Drexel Institute in conjunction with the Masters and Ph.D. programs in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology of Drexel University College of Medicine. Courses have included Molecular Virology, Experimental Therapeutics, Emerging Infectious Diseases, and Laboratory Techniques in Molecular Biology.
Post-doctoral training, apprenticeships for recent college graduates, and student internships are available as well through Drexel’s unique partnership with the Hepatitis B Foundation. For more information about education and training programs through DIBVR, please read the brochure Academic Opportunities at the PA Biotech Center.
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