Isolation/identification/characterization of emerging viruses and arboviruses, genetic determinants of viral induced pathogenesis, animal model development, therapeutic and vaccine testing.

Dr. Plante is the Associate Director and curator of the World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses (WRCEVA). In this role, he maintains the historic collection and obtains various novel viral resources. He then leads efforts to isolate, propagate, QC, and distribute these resources to the wider viral research field. The WRCEVA’s primary research aims focus on the various factors driving arbovirus emergence and reemergence. Current projects include several vaccine and therapeutic studies, characterization of neglected flaviviruses, role of preexisting heterologous immunity against subsequent challenge, and several projects focusing variant characterization in the context of COVID-19 and other viruses.