Objectif The antigenic evolution of influenza is conventionally assumed to occur by ‘antigenic drift’ where new strains arise through the incremental addition of mutations in surface glycoproteins. However, the antigenic drift model can only explain the epidemiology and limited genetic diversity observed among influenza virus populations by imposing constraints on the mode and tempo of mutation. We have shown that an alternative model known as ‘antigenic thrift’ successfully models the epidemiology and genetic diversity of influenza by assuming that the antigenic evolution of the virus population is primarily driven by natural immune responses against epitopes of limited variability. We have identified epitopes of limited variability in H1, H3 and influenza B. Each epitope has between 3 and 4 different conformations. These epitope conformations are all in the head domain of the HAs of various subtypes, making them naturally highly immunogenic. The epitope are also limited in variability, often due to their position adjacent to the receptor binding site, cycling through their limited repertoire of conformations as host population immunity changes. By vaccinating against these epitope conformations for each subtype, we can induce immunity against all past and present H1, H3 and influenza B. This approach will remove the need to vaccinate each year and have much higher levels of efficacy. The vaccine can also be made using the established methods of inactivated or attenuated influenza vaccine production. This maintains a price threshold of 5 USD per dose, making the vaccine attractive to pharmaceutical companies, and by reducing the number of doses required to confer immunity and while maintaining production cost, the vaccine is attractive to healthcare providers. Champ scientifique natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologyvirologymedical and health scienceshealth sciencespublic healthepidemiologymedical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesRNA virusesinfluenzamedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsvaccinesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsmutation Mots‑clés Influenza vaccine evolution biotechnology interdiscpinary novel Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Thème(s) ERC-2018-PoC - ERC Proof of Concept Grant Appel à propositions ERC-2018-PoC Voir d’autres projets de cet appel Régime de financement ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant Institution d’accueil THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD Contribution nette de l'UE € 149 297,00 Adresse WELLINGTON SQUARE UNIVERSITY OFFICES OX1 2JD Oxford Royaume-Uni Voir sur la carte Région South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 149 297,00 Bénéficiaires (1) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution nette de l'UE Tout développer Tout réduire THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD Royaume-Uni Contribution nette de l'UE € 149 297,00 Adresse WELLINGTON SQUARE UNIVERSITY OFFICES OX1 2JD Oxford Voir sur la carte Région South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 149 297,00
