Nordic Life Science 1
78 mobilization of scientists and industry around
the world has been “spectacular” in terms of getting vaccines developed in record time, he adds. “Hopefully with vaccines and public measures, we will get back to some sort of normal state. One of the questions still unanswered is how long immunity from the vaccines will last. Even if the immunity starts to wane and those vaccinated get infected, it will probably help prevent people from being transmitters or getting severely ill.” The pandemic certainly has raised awareness about the importance of research. “The study of the fundamental aspects of yellow fever virus, and hepatitis C, have certainly helped guide our coronavirus studies,” says Rice. He also is studying the hepatitis B virus, in the hopes of producing a durable cure. “Of the 250 million people infected, only a small percentage is being treated,” he says. “Treatment is usually for life as it doesn’t eliminate the virus but there is now more enthusiasm to come up with a treatments that at least lead to a ‘functional cure’ – one that teaches the body how to control the virus even after treatment stopped.” With so much going on in the lab, Rice jokes that he currently is devoid of free time, but when he does get a break, he enjoys playing with his two Australian shepherds and hiking and fishing in remote areas for a change of pace from New York City. The prospect of new discoveries drives Rice’s enthusiasm for his research. “Just the fact that there is so much we don’t know, so much still to be discovered,” he says in explaining the satisfaction he gets. “You never know what’s going to pop up. Scientists are continually humbled by complexity and beauty of what they find.” NLS PHOTO JOHN ABBOTT