Projects
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Identification of host responses to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection and Identification of factors associated with severe disease (Walsh)A clinical translational study in two cohorts of infants, representing the full spectrum of RSV disease severity, in which innate and adaptive immune status are comprehensively measured in association with environmental, viral, and bacteriologic factors. |
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Impact of respiratory virus infections and bacterial microbiome shifts on lymphocyte (Lc) and respiratory function in infants born prematurely or full term (Pryhuber)
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Specificity and Fate of follicular helper T cells (Sant)A research project to analyze the specificity, distribution in vivo, and mobilization of Tfh cells using mouse models of vaccination and infection. The aims of this project are to determine the specificity of follicular helper cells elicited during protein vaccination or infection and analyze Tfh fate and recruitment to subsequent responses after influenza virus challenge. |
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Flu Chip phototonic based antibody sensors to detect influenza antibodies (Miller)The Miller laboratory is developing lab-on-a-chip methods for influenza serology. These devices will simplify profiling antibody responses to panels of influenza antigens, for applications in surveillance and vaccine development. |
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Multiplexed Immunoassays for Pneumococcal Polysaccharide (PnPs) Vaccine Evaluation (Quataert)New multiplexed imaging flow cytometry and bead array immunoassays applied to the assessment of clinical vaccine studies have great potential for accelerating the development and licensure of new vaccines. In this project, we propose to develop and qualify (pre-study validation) multiplexed flow-based imaging opsonphagocytic assays (OPA) and anti-PnPs isotype and subclass microbead array assays for use in evaluation of new or current PnPs vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae. |
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Modeling HA Evolution (Scheuermann)Twice each year the WHO assembles a group of influenza experts to select virus strain candidates for vaccine development. Strains isolated toward the end of the previous influenza season are often selected based on the hypothesis that these represent strains escaping population immunity to the current seasonal flu and will likely emerge as the predominant strain in the next flu season. However, an explicit model that incorporates predictions about viral evolution in the face of immune system pressure has not been formally included. We propose to develop a model of influenza virus evolution that explicitly incorporates parameters derived from a genome-wide analysis of sequence variability and an analysis of protein regions with immune reactivity. |
The natural history of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease; a longitudinal population-based outcomes assessment of HIV-negative patients with pulmonary NTM (Winthrop)Nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) are emerging as an important cause of chronic pulmonary disease in older adults. Using a large population-based cohort, this project seeks to define the natural history, epidemiology, and outcomes of pulmonary NTM disease. |
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Development of an opsonophagocytosis assay for Group A streptococcus antibodies (Nahm)The Nahm laboratory has revolutionized pneumococcal vaccine evaluations by developing a practical and multiplexed opsonophagocytosis assays for pneumococcal antibodies. The Nahm laboratory is now developing an assay to measure opsonic capacity of antibodies induced with a group A streptococcal vaccine to facilitate the vaccine development. The vaccine is being developed by Dr. J. Dale in the University of Tennessee in Memphis. |
Center Leadership
David J. Topham, Ph.D.
Director
Ann Falsey, M.D.
Co-Director
Get In Touch
For general questions, call: Donna Neu
(585) 276-5621
Donna Neu, PMP
