Grounds for Science – Representation in Research and The Good Side of Viruses

Representation in Research: The Case of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder & Heart Disease The rate and prevalence of heart disease is increasing worldwide. Although the link between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and heart disease has been heavily studied in military populations, a thorough assessment of this relationship in other populations has not been conducted. Using this relationship as a case study, this talk will discuss disparities in research and its consequences, for public health and beyond. The Good Side of Viruses: Engineering Viruses for Therapeutic Development While many viruses are harmful to humans, there are some types that can actually be beneficial. Viruses that are not known to cause disease in humans can be harnessed as delivery vehicles for potential therapeutic treatments of a wide range of illnesses. One such "good" virus is adeno-associated virus (AAV). In this talk, we will learn how AAVs can be developed into highly effective delivery vehicles.