Global Nexus for Pandemics and Biological Threats
Preventing the Next Pandemic
Now is the time for Canada to seize the opportunity sparked by COVID-19 and create a nexus that brings together our world-class resources, elevates our capabilities and amplifies impact. McMaster’s researchers are leading the way. Join us.

Featured Stories

Canada’s Global Nexus and VIDO join forces to combat COVID–19
Canada’s Global Nexus for Pandemics and Biological Threats at McMaster University and the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) are working together to accelerate vaccine and drug development, human clinical trials and create new diagnostic tools.

AMR and coronavirus variants: These researchers spot new threats to global health
Andrew McArthur, a leading expert on genome sequencing, runs a lab dedicated to genomic surveillance of infectious pathogens.

Upgrades to Fitzhenry Lab would enable ‘on the order of a million doses of a vaccine per production run,’ McMaster researcher says
McMaster “could and should play a key role in Canada’s biomanufacturing future,” researchers told a federal committee this week.

Human case of H5N8 bird flu underscores the need for a universal influenza vaccine
A universal vaccine would take the guesswork out of planning annual vaccines, and would protect against all flu strains and the occurrence of flu pandemics, says infectious disease expert Matthew Miller.

McMaster researchers talk with MPs about made-in-Canada vaccines
Virologist Karen Mossman and Fitzhenry Vector Lab director Brian Lichty will talk with MPs about the need to fill the made-in-Canada gap in vaccine development, and scaling up production.

McMaster researchers developing homegrown vaccines to fight COVID-19 and prevent future outbreaks, using specialized campus lab and production facility
The Robert E. Fitzhenry Vector Laboratory is the first facility of its kind in Canada and one of a few with the capacity to develop and produce viral-vectored vaccines for clinical testing.
EXPERT VIDEOS

What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccines
Researcher Matthew Miller explains some of the basics about the COVID-19 vaccines and what to expect as they roll out.

COVID Variants and Vaccines
Matthew Miller, associate professor, biochemistry and biomedical sciences, explains the UK variant of COVID-19 and the effectiveness of vaccines against other mutations of the virus.

Coping during COVID
Sociologist Marisa Young talks about the impact COVID–19 has had on mental health and offers tips for coping during the pandemic.

Advancing Canadian-made PPE
McMaster is home to the Centre of Excellence in Protective Equipment and Materials, Canada’s first and only research hub dedicated to developing, testing and validating personal protective equipment.

The basics of staying fit during a pandemic
The gym is closed, and you’re stuck at home. The good news? There’s really only five basic exercises (5BX) you need to stay fit. In this short video, researcher Martin Gibala talks about 5BX and how it shouldn’t be hard to stay fit — even at home.

This isn’t the first pandemic and it won’t be the last
Infectious disease researcher Gerry Wright and virologist Karen Mossman explain how the Global Nexus for Pandemics and Biological Threats is a global leader in responding to the current COVID–19 pandemic and in preparing for the next.