|
Using Toll-like receptor activation to improve vaccinations
(»Add to Infobox)
 |
|
|
Toll-like receptors are a family of recently discovered receptors which recognize conserved molecules from a variety of infectious agents. These receptors can recognize viral DNA and RNA, fungal cell walls, and bacterial cell walls and flagellin and activate inflammation and innate immune responses. Flagellin is a protein encoded by a single bacterial gene. We have developed a unique process where we can get mammalian cells to produce and secrete bacterial flagellin into their environment and can use these unique expression vectors to boost immune responses to antigens after DNA vaccination in small animal models.
Current projects involve adjuvant research. These include understanding the molecular mechanisms of how flagellin works as an adjuvant in vitro and in vivo, and studies looking at which methods/routes of vaccination using flagellin work best. We also are starting a variety of other projects involving vaccination against a variety of infectious diseases such as HIV, and Influenza A virus.
|
Bacteriology
Virology
Vaccines and therapeutics
|
|
|
|
Home
