Picture of Darryl Falzarano

Darryl Falzarano Adjunct Professor, Department of Veterinary Microbiology

Profile

Dr. Falzarano received his Ph.D. from the Department of Medical Microbiology at the University of Manitoba for determining the functional importance of post-translation modifications of Ebola virus glycoproteins. As a post-doc at Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, he investigated antiviral strategies for Ebola and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). This included the development of a new animal model (common marmoset) and the first potential treatment for MERS-CoV. Currently, his lab is focused on the development of vaccines for camels against MERS-CoV, as part of a One Health approach to eliminating MERS-CoV in humans. Currently, these vaccines are being assessed in an alpaca model of MERS-CoV. In addition, his lab is trying to understanding how MERS-CoV interacts with various host species and what consequence adaptations gained in different host have on the virus.

Research Interests

  • Development of animal models, vaccines and therapeutics for emerging viruses
  • Understanding the role of viral adaptations on virus biology in different hosts

Current Projects

  • Development of MERS-CoV vaccines for camels using an alpaca model
  • Characterization of MERS-CoV adaptations to different host species