Dr. Bernard Moss stands as a preeminent figure in virology whose pioneering research has fundamentally transformed our understanding of viral pathogenesis and host immune interactions. He currently serves as an NIH Distinguished Investigator and Chief of the Genetic Engineering Section at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Bethesda, Maryland. After earning his M.D. from New York University School of Medicine and completing his internship at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Boston, he obtained a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Moss joined the National Institutes of Health in 1966 as an investigator in NIAID where he subsequently served as Chief of the Laboratory of Viral Diseases from 1984 until 2017.
Dr. Moss's groundbreaking research has elucidated critical mechanisms by which viruses infect cells, express and replicate their genomes, assemble infectious particles, and evade host immune responses, with particular focus on poxviruses. His seminal work on mRNA cap structures and viral gene expression regulation has provided foundational knowledge for antiviral development and vaccine design, establishing principles now applied across virology. He pioneered the development of poxvirus-based expression vectors that have become indispensable tools in biotechnology and vaccine research, including applications for HIV and other pathogens. With over 112,000 citations, his research has had transformative impact across virology, immunology, and vaccine development fields, enabling both basic scientific advances and practical medical applications.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Moss has been instrumental in advancing virology through his editorial leadership as editor of Virology and member of editorial boards for the Journal of Virology, AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, Current Opinion in Biotechnology, and Advances in Virus Research. He has mentored generations of virologists and continues to influence the field through adjunct professorships at George Washington University and the University of Maryland. His laboratory's ongoing work focuses on designing antiviral agents and recombinant vaccines while further exploring viral evasion strategies against host immune responses. Now approaching six decades of scientific inquiry, Dr. Moss remains at the forefront of virology research, continuing to unravel the complex interactions between viruses and their hosts with unparalleled expertise and dedication.
