Vincent Racaniello

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Vincent Racaniello is an American virologist and a professor of microbiology at Columbia University. He is widely recognized for his contributions to the field of virology, particularly in the study of poliovirus and other enteroviruses.

Early Life and Education

Vincent Racaniello was born in Paterson, New Jersey. He earned his B.S. in biology from Cornell University in 1974. He then pursued his Ph.D. in biomedical sciences at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, where he studied under the guidance of Peter Palese.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Racaniello conducted postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the laboratory of David Baltimore, a Nobel laureate. During his time at MIT, Racaniello made significant discoveries regarding the molecular biology of poliovirus, including the identification of the receptor used by the virus to enter cells.

In 1982, Racaniello joined the faculty of Columbia University as an assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology. He was promoted to full professor in 1995. His research has focused on the pathogenesis of enteroviruses, the development of viral vaccines, and the mechanisms of viral replication.

Contributions to Virology

Racaniello is best known for his work on poliovirus. His research has provided critical insights into the genetics and molecular mechanisms of viral infection. He has also contributed to the development of reverse genetics systems for studying viral replication and pathogenesis.

In addition to his research, Racaniello is an advocate for science communication. He is the host of the popular podcast "This Week in Virology" (TWiV), where he discusses current topics in virology with other experts in the field. He is also active on social media and maintains a blog where he writes about various aspects of virology and science education.

Awards and Honors

Vincent Racaniello has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to virology, including:

• The Eli Lilly Award in Microbiology and Immunology
• The NIH MERIT Award
• Election to the American Academy of Microbiology

Personal Life

Racaniello is married and has two children. He is an avid supporter of science education and frequently engages with the public to promote understanding of virology and infectious diseases.

See Also

• Virology
• Poliovirus
• Enterovirus
• Columbia University
• This Week in Virology