Our mission is to provide the infrastructure and assets to support and foster emergent pathogen-related research with pandemic threat potential. The Baylor College of Medicine Pandemic Threat Technology Center (PTTC) will lead and coordinate research and responses to infectious diseases that pose local, regional, and global threats. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has underscored the need for ongoing preparedness at all levels of our healthcare system, and the cutting-edge, translational research platforms at Baylor College of Medicine have been leveraged for detecting, studying, and treating COVID-19 since the virus was originally isolated in December 2019. As the COVID-19 pandemic transitions into endemic outbreaks, we need to monitor for new and emerging pathogens that have the potential to cause future pandemics.
In addition, pathogens can reemerge such as vaccine preventable diseases and have the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality. Now more than ever, resources are needed to maintain vital infrastructure for the development and maintenance of cutting-edge molecular diagnostic and assay development tools, and proof-of-concept clinical studies to evaluate virus-specific illnesses and for collections of clinical samples among different adult and pediatric age groups. With appropriate support, the PTTC will be well-positioned to drive research and response efforts for our local and regional communities.
Pedro A. “Tony” Piedra, M.D.
Professor, Molecular Virology and Microbiology, and Pediatrics
Director, Pandemic Technology Threat Center
