Dr. Peters' research focuses on the pathogenesis and epidemiology of
viral hemorrhagic fevers and other emerging viral infections. Most of
the current work in the laboratory deals with Bunyaviridae
(phleboviruses such as Rift Valley fever); Arenaviridae
(Lassa fever, South American hemorrhagic fevers) and SARS CoV.
Dr. Peters' lab is working on the phylogeny of phleboviruses (Rift
Valley Fever), reassortment of their tripartite genomes, and their
pathogenicity. He is developing alphavirus replicon-vectored
Rift Valley fever vaccines for use in livestock and humans.
Arenavirus research concentrates on the effects of infection on cellular
function, particularly those molecular interactions related to vascular
permeability. SARS-CoV work includes antiviral
drug development, model charaterization, and interfeon
interactions. Dr. Peters' laboratory is transitioning to higher hazard
viral hemorrhagic fevers and will develop projects on other viruses such
as tick-borne flaviviruses, highly virulent
avian influenza strains, and Nipah virus, a new, highly virulent
paramyxovirus.