Final Activity Report Summary - STREPVACCINES (Characterisation of streptococcal vaccine antigens)
The objective of this project was to recruit four researchers from European centres with expertise in the biology and genetics of Gram-positive pathogens to Novartis vaccines in order to contribute to the technology capabilities of the company. Recent projects at Novartis vaccines have aimed at the identification of novel candidate vaccines for diseases caused by the Gram-positive streptococci. While the host centre had extensive knowledge and experience with many Gram-negative pathogens, expertise in the genetic manipulation and biochemical characterisation of streptococci was lacking.
Four researchers with appropriate knowledge and expertise were recruited from Norway, France and the United Kingdom. These researchers contributed significantly to the acquisition of the necessary expertise for the study of pathogenic streptococci. The research carried out by these researchers resulted in important data concerning key novel vaccine candidate antigens.
One part involved research into the enzymatic activities involved in the structural assembly of important novel protective antigens from 'group B' streptococcus. These antigens were found to be components of pili that are long filamentous structures extending from the surface of the bacteria.
A second part resulted in the identification of a protein in human saliva that causes the aggregation 'group A' streptococcus, the bacterium that causes pharyngitis. This protein was found to bind to pili on the surface of the bacteria and to interfere with adhesion to host cells and likely represents the first interaction between the pathogen and the host.
A third part concerned the acquisition of new technologies for the analysis of antigen / antibody interactions based on mass spectroscopy. Together these studies led to two major publications in peer reviewed journals. Hence the researchers not only brought new technologies to Novartis vaccines but also contributed to the biological characterisation of potential novel vaccines.
Four researchers with appropriate knowledge and expertise were recruited from Norway, France and the United Kingdom. These researchers contributed significantly to the acquisition of the necessary expertise for the study of pathogenic streptococci. The research carried out by these researchers resulted in important data concerning key novel vaccine candidate antigens.
One part involved research into the enzymatic activities involved in the structural assembly of important novel protective antigens from 'group B' streptococcus. These antigens were found to be components of pili that are long filamentous structures extending from the surface of the bacteria.
A second part resulted in the identification of a protein in human saliva that causes the aggregation 'group A' streptococcus, the bacterium that causes pharyngitis. This protein was found to bind to pili on the surface of the bacteria and to interfere with adhesion to host cells and likely represents the first interaction between the pathogen and the host.
A third part concerned the acquisition of new technologies for the analysis of antigen / antibody interactions based on mass spectroscopy. Together these studies led to two major publications in peer reviewed journals. Hence the researchers not only brought new technologies to Novartis vaccines but also contributed to the biological characterisation of potential novel vaccines.