Prof. Dr. Albert D.M.E. Osterhaus, DVM PhD
Date and place of birth: 02.06.1948,
Amsterdam,
The Netherlands
Nationality : Dutch
Address : Centre of
Infection Medicine
and Zoonosis
Research
University of
Veterinary Medicine
Bünteweg 17
30559 Hannover,
Germany
Phone: +49(0)511 953 6140
Email: albert.osterhaus@tiho-hannover.de
Scientific education
2001 Educator, specialisation Medical Microbiology, Stichting Medisch
Biologisch Wetenschappelijk Onderzoeker (SMBWO)
1996 Registered veterinary microbiologist
1978 Doctoral Thesis (Ph.D.), University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus: Identification, Propagation and
Epidemiology (promotores: Prof.Dr.M.C.Horzinek,
Prof.Dr.J.van Bekkum)
1974 Graduated as a veterinarian (with honours)
1973 Veterinary doctorate (cum laude)
1969 Veterinary candidate (cum laude)
1967 - 1974 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht,
The Netherlands
1961 - 1967 HBS-B Pius X Lyceum, Amsterdam
Previous and present positions
2013 - present Guest Professor Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, Germany
Head of Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam
2011 - present Professor of Wildlife Virology and Virus Discovery, University Utrecht
2009 - present Chairman Master Infection & Immunity Erasmus MC
Member of the Graduate School Erasmus MC
2007 - present Chairman of the Postgraduate School Molecular Medicine Erasmus
MC
2003 - present Head WHO National Reference Laboratory for Measles and Rubella
icw RIVM
1995 - present Director WHO Collaborating Centre for Arboviruses and
Haemorrhagic
Fever Reference and Research
1995 - 2000 Director WHO Global Reference Laboratory for Measles, Rotterdam
1993 - present Director National Influenza Center (NIC), Rotterdam
1993 - 2013 Head of Department of Virology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam
1993 - present Professor of Virology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam
1990 - 2011 Professor of Environmental Virology, State University Utrecht
1978 - 1994 National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection
(RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands, last position: Head of the
Laboratory of Immunobiology
Synopsis
Professor Osterhaus has been Head of the Department of Viroscience at Erasmus
MC Rotterdam until July 1st 2014, is currently Professor of Wildlife Virology and
Virus Discovery at Utrecht University, and Director of the Center of Infection
Medicine and Zoonosis Research and Guest-Professor at the Tieraerztliche
Hochschule Hannover. He has a long track record as a scientific researcher and
Principal Investigator of numerous major scientific projects.
At Erasmus MC, Professor Osterhaus has run a diagnostic virology lab with more
than 40 staff and a research virology lab with over 150 personnel. His research
programme follows a novel integrated “viroscience” concept, bringing together world-
leading scientists in molecular virology, immunology, epidemiology, pathogenesis,
and intervention studies on human and animal virus infections.
Among the major accomplishments are the discovery of more than 40 new viruses of
humans and animals (e.g. human metapneumovirus, coronaviruses, influenza
viruses), elucidation of the pathogenesis of major human and animal virus infections,
and development of novel intervention strategies. This has enabled health authorities
like the WHO to effectively combat disease outbreaks like SARS and avian
influenza. The spin-off, Viroclinics Biosciences BV, is another societally relevant
success, allowing effective testing and refining of diagnostic tools and other
intervention strategies.
The international recognition of Professor Osterhaus is further highlighted by awards,
prizes, guest lecture invitations, (co-)organiserships of international meetings and
editorships of scientific journals.
Professor Osterhaus has acted as PhD mentor for more than 60 students and holds
several key patents. He is also the author of more than 1020 papers in peer-reviewed
journals, together cited more than 50,000 times, and his H index is more than 90.
Most of all, Professor Osterhaus firmly believes that scientists have a role to play in
translating their knowledge for the benefit and protection of society.
Membership to professional organizations
- American Society for Microbiology
- Society for General Microbiology
- European Wetenschappelijk Werkgroep on Influenza
- European Society for Veterinary Virology
- European Society for Clinical Virology
- European Association for Aquatic Mammals
- International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine
- Nederlands Society for Microbiology
- Nederlands Society for Laboratory Animal Science
- Nederlands Society for Immunology
- Royal Nederlands Society for Animal Science
- International Society for Vaccines; Executive Commissie Lid
- International Consortium on Anti-virals
- American Society for Virology
- European Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Editorial appointments
2001 Editor “Options for the control of influenza IV”, Exerpta Medica,
International Congress Series No. 1219, Elsevier Science BV,
1995 - 1999 Editor "Journal of Medical Primatology"
1995 - 2000 Editor "Journal of General Virology"
1995 - present Editor "Adjuvant Research"
1993 - present European Editor "Vaccine"
1991 - 2001 Editor "Veterinary Quarterly"
1991 - 2000 Editor "Tijdschrift voor Diergeneeskunde"
1990 - present Editor "FEMS Immunology/Microbiology"
1990 Editor "Viral Infections of Vertebrates", Volume "Viral Infections
of Rodents and Lagomorphs", Editor in Chief M.C. Horzinek,
Elsevier Science Publishers
1989 Editor "Idiotype Networks in Biology and Medicine",
Elsevier Science Publishers, 1990
1987 – present Associate Editor "Viral Immunology"
Amsterdam
2012 - present Editorial Board member Journal of Virology and Microbiology
2010 - present Editorial Board member Platform Infectieziekten
Member Editorial Board Infectious Disease
Co-Editor-in-Chief Current Opinion in Virology
2008 - present Editorial Board member of EMBO Molecular Medicine
2008 - 2014 Editorial Board member Advances in Virology
2008 - present Associate Editor BMC Microbiology
2006 - present Editor Medical Microbiology and Immunology
2005 - present Editor BMC Infectious Diseases
Editorial Board member BMC Microbiology
Editor “Medical Microbiology and Immunology”
2002 - present Editor “Journal of Clinical Virology”
Awards
2012 WSAVA Global One Health Award
2010 ESCMID Award for Excellence in Clinical Microbiology and Infectious
Diseases
2008 Erasmus Award, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, The Netherlands
2007 Allan Granoff Lectureship in Virology Award, St. Jude's Hospital
Prix scientifique Louis D - Académie des sciences de l’Institut
de France - research done in the field of transmissible diseases
from man to animals, anthropozoonoses.
2006 European Respiratory Society - European Lung Foundation
Award - recognition of the contribution to the public lung
health in Europe
Federa prize – for original and exceptional research
achievements
2004 Reinier de Graaf medal – for exceptional contribution to
medicine
Dr. Saal van Zwanenberg-Oragon prize for exceptional
achievement in promoting scientific research
James H. Nakano Citation - CDC prize for exceptional scientific
publications.
2003 Commander in the Order of the Dutch Lion - Royal decoration
2002 The ESCV Gardner Lecture - Viruses emerging from animal
reservoirs
2000 Mulder-Masurel Award on influenza research
UK Royal Society invited lecture on Catastrophes after
crossing species barriers
1998 M.W.Beijerinck Virology Award, Royal Dutch Academy
of Sciences
1995 Firkin Oration, Australian Society for Medical Research
1993 Laureate Van Loghem lecture, Dutch Society for Immunology
1992 Ciba Geigy Prize for Research in Animal Health
1989 Heine Medin Award: European Society against Virus
Diseases
1985 Schimmel Viruly Award: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Utrecht
Patents (Selection out of >30)
2012 MERS-CoV receptor (pending)
MERS-CoV (pending)
2009 MVA-patent influenza (application)
2008 WO2008061939 Recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara
(MVA)-based vaccine for the avian flu.
2007 US2007087333 Method to detect antigen-specific cytolytic activity,
Publication date: 2007-04-19
2005 WO 2005/080991 “Method to detect antigen-specific cytolytic activity”
2003 US 2004/0005544 (US Appl. # 10/371.122) “Metapneumovirus
strains and their use in vaccine formulations and as vectors for
expression of heterologous antigenic sequences”.
2002 WO 2002/057302(# PCT/NL02/00040)“A virus causing respiratory
tract illness in susceptible mammals”
01200213.5 “Human metapneumovirus” – national phase
application
2001 US 2001/631966B1 in cooperation with Aventis Pasteur “Induction
of rev and tat specific cytotoxic T- cells for prevention and treatment
of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
1996 Patent in samenwerking met Pasteur Mérieux Connaught,
betreffende "Induction of rev and tat specific cytotoxic T-cells for
prevention and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
infection".
1992 Patent in samenwerking met Pitman Moore, betreffende "Deletion
cleavage site of the FIV glycoprotein".
Patent in samenwerking met Pitman Moore, betreffende
"Indentificatie, virus neutralization determinant of FIV".
Europees Patent nr. 92202032.6: "Monoclonal antibodies to HIV-1
gp120, cell lines producing them, preparations for passive
immunotherapy, vaccines containing corresponding epitope
structures and process of preparing these antibodies". (Date of
submission: 3 July 1992).
NIH
2009 Animal Models of Infectious Diseases
2006 SARS
2000 Protective capacity of HIV early protein specific CTL
NGI
2009 FES 2009, research line viral infections k€ 1700
2009 VIRGO II k€ 700
2004 VIRGO - Genomics and respiratory viruses K€ 2300
WHO
2002 Efficacy and Safety of a Tetravalent Dengue Vaccine
in a Macaque Model k€ 140
2001 Aerosol vaccination against measles k€ 120
2000 Novel generations of measles vaccines k€ 100
PI / co-investigator Clinical Trials
2012 PI in an MVA recombinant influenza phase I clinical trial (investigator
initiated)
2006 PI in an autologous DC vaccination study in HIV infected humans
(investigator initiated)
2000 Investigator in: a double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled
study of RWJ 270201 for the treatment of influenza infections in
asthmatic subjects.
1999 Investigator in: a double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled
study of RWJ 270201 for the treatment of influenza infections in
healthy subjects.
Investigator in: immunogenicity and tolerability of three dosages
of an anti RSV vaccine, administered in an ambulant elderly adult
population over 60 years old.
1998 Principal Investigator in: a single center, single-blinded placebo-
controlled study of a recombinant RSV vaccine in the treatment of
severe lower respiratory tract infection.
Principal Investigator in: a double blind, randomised, placebo-
controlled study of Ro 64-0796 (also known as GS 4104) in the
treatment of influenza in children with chronic asthma.
Principal Investigator in: a double blind, randomised, placebo-
controlled study of Ro 64-0796 (also known as GS 4104) used
for the treatment of influenza infection.
1997 Principal Investigator in: a double blind, randomised, placebo-
controlled study of Ro 64-0796 (also known as GS 4104) used
for the prevention of clinical influenza post exposure.
Principal Investigator in: a randomised, double-blind study to
determine the cell-mediated and humoral immunogenicity of two
influenza ISCOM™ vaccines (type I and II) versus Fluvax®
(inactivated influenza vaccine split virion) in young healthy adults.
1996 Principal Investigator in: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-
controlled, parallel-group, multicentre study to investigate the
efficacy and safety of inhaled zanamivir (GG167) 10 mg
administered twice a day for five days in the treatment of
symptomatic Influenza A and B viral infections in adolescents
and adults.
1995 Principal Investigator in: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-
controlled, multicentre parallel-group study to investigate the
efficacy and safety of GG167 administered twice or four times
a day for the treatment of Influenza A and B viral infections.
1994 Principal Investigator in: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-
controlled, parallel-group, multicentre study to investigate the
efficacy and safety of inhaled and intranasal GG167 in the
treatment of Influenza A and B viral infections.
Principal Investigator in: GMDP as adjuvant to Influvac
subunit vaccine Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of
adjuvant GMDP orally administered just prior to vaccination
with a trivalent influenza subunit vaccine. A double-blind
placebo controlled study in nursing home residents.
Identification of novel viral pathogens in humans and animals
2014 Identification of python torovirus
2013 Identification of human cyclovirus
Identification of seal parvovirus
Identification of fox HEV
2012 Identification of coronavirus as primary cause of MERS (MERS-CoV)
Identification of boa arenavirus
Identification of human calicivirus
2011 Influenza A (H1N1) virus in dogs
Identification of stone marten anellovirus
Identification of porcine picobirnavirus
Identification of ferret heptatitis E virus (HEV)
Identification of ferret coronavirus
2010 Identification of human picobirnavirus
Identification of human astrovirus
2009 Identification of deer astrovirus
2006 Identification of dolphin herpesvirus
2005 Identification of H16 influenza A viruses in black headed gulls
2004 Identification of fourth human coronavirus
2003 Identification of influenza A (H7N7) virus in humans
Identification of coronavirus as the primary cause of SARS
(SARS-CoV)
2002 Presence of hantavirus infection in Barbados
Presence of hantavirus infection in Indonesia
Identification of re-emerging PDV in Europe
2000 Identification of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) as a new member
of the genus Metapneumovirus
Identification of measles virus re-introduction in The Netherlands
1999 Identification of influenza B virus in seals
1998 Identification of a lentivirus from Talapoin monkeys (SIVtal)
1997 Identification of influenza A (H5N1) virus in humans
Identification of monk seal morbilliviruses (MSMV-WA/G)
1996 Identification of a -herpesvirus in seals (phocid herpesvirus-2)
1995 Identification of CDV as cause of mass mortality in Serengeti lions
Hepatitis B virus infection in heart transplant patients in the Dijkzigt
Hospital Rotterdam
1994 Parapoxvirus in grey seals
1992 Rhabdovirus of dolphins
Porpoise and dolphin morbilliviruses causing mortality in cetacean
species
1990 First Orthopoxvirus in seals (affected by PDV infection)
1989 First demonstration of Hantavirus infections in humans and rodents
in The Netherlands
1988 First picornavirus in seals (affected by PDV infection)
First phocid morbillivirus (phocid distemper virus, PDV): cause
of mass mortality in seals
1984 First phocid herpesvirus (phocid herpesvirus 1): high mortality in
young seals
1981 First demonstration of mouse pox in The Netherlands
1978 First demonstration of canine parvovirus in The Netherlands
1977 First non mammalian papillomavirus: Finch papilloma virus