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The scientific hypotheses underlying our research are, firstly, that viral antigenic phenotype can be predicted from capsid gene sequences; and secondly that there is a measurable T cell component to vaccine-induced protection and that strengthening this would improve efficacy and duration of immunity. Our specific objectives are:
(1) To define viral determinants of antigenicity and improve the selection of vaccine strains, particularly in Africa, where there is the widest diversity of circulating viruses and few tailor-made vaccine strains. (2) To evaluate novel adjuvants that may enhance the potency and durability of vaccine-induced immunity. (3) To define correlates of vaccine-mediated protection and to transfer technology to establish in vitro alternatives to live challenge as a means of assuring vaccine strain potency to laboratories in developing countries. IAH Principal Investigator: Professor Satya Parida IAH Co-investigators: Dr David Paton, Dr Madhuchhanda Mahapatra, Dr Jayne Hope, Dr Geraldine Taylor UK Co-Investigators: Professor Daniel Haydon, Faculty of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow Dr Richard Reeve, Faculty of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow Overseas Co-Investigators: Dr Francois Maree, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Agricultural Research Council Dr Srinivasan Villuppanoor, Indian Immunologicals Ltd Dr Nagendrakumar Singanallur, Indian Immunologicals Ltd Dr Madhanmohan Muthukrishnan, Indian Immunologicals Ltd Country involved: Eastern Africa (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo) Duration: 36 months |
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