Our Research

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, the U.S. Department of Defense's largest biomedical research laboratory, maintains a network of expeditionary laboratories to conduct its mission. Models of medical diplomacy, these programs foster U.S.-host nation collaborations in biomedical research, product development, outbreak response, and disease surveillance to support Soldier health and global health. The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Europe-Middle East, established in 2014, is charged with building scientific and medical capacity, monitoring infectious disease threats and multidrug resistant organisms, and using its laboratory facilities to support U.S. and allied forces deployed within U.S. European Command. WRAIR E-ME maintains four primary research areas of interest in support of this mission: 

Bacteriophages

  • Infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms pose a significant threat to Warfighter readiness and lethality in operational and conventional healthcare environments. The threat of MDRO has increased in recent years with the excessive and inappropriate use of prescription antibiotics, driving resistance which leaves available antibiotics increasingly ineffective in combating the most virulent bacterial pathogens. WRAIR E-ME scientists actively study bacteriophages and viruses that target specific types of bacteria and partner with Georgian national clinician-scientist to research and develop novel therapeutics to counter MDROs.

Entomology

  • Arthropod-borne disease carried by ticks, mosquitoes or sandflies constitutes a significant threat to both Warfighter and public health. The WRAIR E-ME entomology team performs vector surveillance and pathogen discovery research to identify and characterize potential infectious disease threats within the U.S. European Command area of responsibility. Entomology team members work with civilian and military partners to promote field detection and reporting capabilities, enhancing visibility of vector-borne infectious disease threats to support command-driven force health protection decisions and public health policy and risk mitigation efforts.

Molecular Biology

  • Infectious disease has historically posed a significant threat to Warfighter readiness and lethality. Identification and characteristics of endemic and emerging diseases is an essential prerequisite for adequate force health protection. WRAIR E-ME is equipped with robust molecular platforms and trained personnel to conduct surveillance testing to detect bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens; uniquely positioned to appreciate and report infectious disease threats within the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.

Virology

Viral diseases pose a significant threat to both the Warfighter and general populous. Proximity of Warfighters in operational environment significantly elevates the threat of communal disease spread. The prevalence of viral diseases is dependent upon several environmental factors. WRAIR E-ME works to detect and identify targets for new preventives and treatments through disease surveillance and the development of force health protection guidance.