Ralph Baric’s work on gain-of-function research, which includes manipulating viruses in the lab to study their behavior, has faced controversy and blame due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite facing public scrutiny and disinformation campaigns, Baric’s research played a crucial role in the development and testing of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. Baric is now working on a pan-coronavirus vaccine using mRNA technology to address potential future outbreaks.

His efforts are set amid a backdrop of growing public debate around gain-of-function research, with calls for transparency and regulatory oversight. Baric remains dedicated to his work, navigating the threats and public backlash with the support of his scientific community.

Gain-of-function research refers to the study of biological entities, typically viruses, where the entities are genetically manipulated to endow or enhance certain properties or functions. This might involve, for example, increasing the transmissibility of a virus, its virulence, or its ability to infect different species. The primary objective of gain-of-function research is to better understand disease-causing agents, their potential effects, and how they evolve.