About Us

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The research programs of those affiliated with the Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases (CPM) focus on basic and translational research for pathogens that cause disease in humans. The CPM research and discovery programs bring together a dynamic and interactive team of faculty in the Schools of Medicine, Public Health and Information Sciences and Speed School of Engineering who enjoy cross-translational approaches to address critical research questions to better understand rare, neglected and/or emerging pathogens.

CPM investigators are involved in three major areas of scientific investigation:

  • Molecular and cellular biology of microbial pathogen life cycles and host responses.
  • Development and application of small animal models for study of infectious diseases.
  • Discovery of antimicrobial and antiviral therapeutics and vaccines.

Our Mission

The mission of the Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases (CPM) is to improve human health by conducting basic and translational research that leads to the development of effective diagnostic biomarkers, vaccines, antivirals and therapeutics for emerging, re-emerging, neglected or rare infectious diseases. Research that leads to effective translation is inherently multidisciplinary, and hence, the Center comprises faculty from the Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Radiology.

In addition to the research activities led by the faculty within the CPM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) collaborated with the University of Louisville (UofL) to construct and commission the UofL Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL). This state-of-the-art facility managed and operated as a shared resource by the CPM, provides the greater community and nation with scientific expertise and biosafety level three (BSL-3) laboratories for the discovery of therapeutics against serious pathogens as well as providing an infrastructure to meet pandemic or bioterrorism emergency needs. The RBL, one of 11 in the country, serves as a valuable shared resource to others in academic, not-for-profit and private sectors for BSL-3 training, basic research and translational discovery efforts.