Podcast

Michael Houghton’s 30-year quest to cure Hepatitis C

After discovering the Hep C virus in 1989, Houghton is now closing in on a vaccine for the potentially fatal disease

Institution(s)
University of Alberta
Province(s)
Alberta
Topic(s)
Virology
Michael Houghton posing for a photo.

Michael Houghton’s discovery of the Hepatitis C virus in 1989 — along with colleagues Qui-Lim Choo and George Kuo — led to blood screening tests that have protected tens of millions of people from contracting the disease. In this podcast, Houghton — Canada Excellence Research Chair in Virology at the University of Alberta — discusses the scope of Hep C infection worldwide, describes his discovery of the virus and explains his current search for a vaccine that will help the World Health Organization reach its goal of eradicating Hep C by 2030.