May 2020 News from the Office of the Executive Director

News from the Office of the Executive Director: May, 2020

Dear colleagues, community members, and friends,

The other day as I was taking a break outside of my office, a group of antique car collectors cruised through our campus to honk their horns and wave signs in recognition of the Star City's front-line workers.

One of them asked me if I knew where "those folks doing the COVID-19 testing" were, so he could thank them personally. I gestured behind me to the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, where we set up a new high-throughput testing lab last month, and explained that a second Virginia Tech COVID-19 testing lab is in Blacksburg. The gentleman asked me to say "thank you" to our team, and I was proud and happy to relay the message.

As biomedical scientists, we aren't called to this profession because we seek recognition. We choose this work because we want to better understand the processes of life and apply that understanding to improve human health. This recent small exchange with a stranger, in the context of one of the world’s great health challenges, exemplifies the impact of science and its benefits to humankind.

In addition to our researchers who have dedicated countless hours to develop and operate our new COVID-19 testing operations, several of our faculty have developed new approaches and submitted grant funding applications based on these approaches to study the pathogenesis of the SARS-CoV-2 virus more closely, and identify new therapeutic approaches to prevent or limit its sometimes devastating effects. There is still a lot that we don't understand about how this new coronavirus works, and our team is eager to use their expertise in genetics, virology, neuroscience, and cardiovascular science to join the international effort to help develop novel diagnostics, therapeutics, and preventions.

I want to thank every member of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute team for their dedication, perseverance, and ingenuity. We will continue to work diligently to confront the pandemic, serve our world, and ensure a safe and bright future for all.

In the spirit of Ut Prosim,

Mike Friedlander, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Vice President for Health Sciences and Technology, Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech researchers develop new COVID-19 tests to combat backlogs, shortages

Virginia Tech scientists have developed a new COVID-19 test and secured federal and state approvals to begin processing samples at on-campus labs in Blacksburg and Roanoke. Read More

New eco-friendly research expansion melds world-class research and sustainable design

From its meadow garden green roof to its underground rainwater cistern, the new Fralin Biomedical Research Institute expansion located at 4 Riverside Circle in Roanoke is a model for green architecture. The building is currently being evaluated from the U.S. Green Building Council for a LEED Version 4 Rating. Watch Video

Helping Virginia Tech build a healthier future.

Virginia Tech and the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute are providing rapid COVID-19 sample analysis to help control the pandemic in support of our local community, the Commonwealth, and frontline responders. Private support is critical to continue these efforts. Here are some ways that you can support the research institute right now, in light of COVID-19:

Support Virginia Tech's COVID-19 Fund to help accelerate ongoing research and testing operations.
Follow the CDC's guidelines to prevent infection spread, including regular hand-washing and social distancing.
Consider donating unused personal protective equipment and other surplus medical supplies to your local hospital.
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