Working with dangerous viruses sounds like trouble – but here's what scientists learn from studying pathogens in secure labs

  • Written by: Jerry Malayer, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education and Professor of Physiological Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University
Working with dangerous viruses sounds like trouble – but here's what scientists learn from studying pathogens in secure labsMicrobes are everywhere – and they aren't all friendly. spawns/E+ via Getty Images

There are about 1,400 known human pathogens – viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and helminths that can cause a person’s injury or death. But in a world with a trillion individual species of microorganisms, where scientists have counted only one...

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