VGTI Florida is working with the Florida Department of Health to tackle state-wide public health issues, including the infectious HIV/AIDS, and emerging threats such as West Nile virus and dengue fever. The Department of Health has given VGTI Florida researchers access to clinical samples of these diseases which will lead to novel vaccines and therapies. Florida’s newly increased screening efforts for these infectious agents can identify new cases in at-risk populations — a first line of defense against the spread of these diseases locally.

Our clinical trial collaborations with scientists at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute are focused on immunotherapy for melanoma. VGTI Florida researchers are performing immune monitoring and basic research aimed at defining how immune regulatory molecules can be manipulated to develop better immunotherapies in cancer treatment.

The collaboration between VGTI Florida and Martin Memorial Health Systems are dedicated to advancing science research in order to improve public health in the Treasure Coast. Our partnerships include studies involving HIV/AIDS, influenza and cancer, and have already provided valuable insight into the role of the immune system in these diseases. Basic research studies conducted through our collaboration will identify targets for future therapies in these disorders.

Many of the investigators at VGTI Florida hold joint appointments in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. Investigators at the institute also are working closely on joint projects with researchers at the university’s Developmental Center for AIDS Research.

VGTI Florida is a member of the Tradition Center for Innovation, a privately-owned, 150-acre life science research park that actively promotes entrepreneurism, collaborations and commercialization of discoveries at member institutions. The research park's development is directed by Florida Innovation Partners, an economic development organization composed of leadership from VGTI Florida and other member institutions, such as the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Mann Research Center, and Martin Memorial Health Systems.

Visit the website for the Tradition Center for Innovation

VGTI Florida and the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies are partnered physically as well as through collaborative research. We occupy 30,000 square feet of space on the third floor of the Torrey Pines building while construction of our own facilities is underway. The institutes also are collaborating on numerous research projects, including the development of biological tests for compounds generated by researchers at Torrey Pines.