Jenner Institute’s Post

In malaria vaccine research, antibodies against the PfRH5 protein play a crucial role in preventing erythrocyte invasion. Through Rosetta-based protein design, Leveraging Rosetta-based protein design, scientists engineered a synthetic immunogen that represents a key epitope on a compact scaffold. The induced PfRH5-targeting antibodies effectively suppressed parasite growth at lower concentrations. The resulting PfRH5-targeting antibodies efficiently inhibited parasite growth at reduced concentrations. This thoughtfully engineered vaccine holds significant promise. Rational structure-guided design of a blood stage malaria vaccine immunogen presenting a single epitope from PfRH5 doi: https://lnkd.in/gy2KB5HT

: The pursuit of longevity has been a longstanding goal of humanity, and advances in medical science have brought us closer to achieving this aspiration. Recently, RNA vaccines have emerged as a revolutionary tool in the field of vaccinology, demonstrating remarkable efficacy against infectious diseases. Building on this success, there is growing interest in exploring the potential of RNA vaccines for applications beyond infectious disease control, including longevity enhancement. This research proposal aims to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of RNA vaccines in promoting longevity.

Chen Q, He F, Kwang J, Chan JKY, Chen J. GM-CSF and IL-4 Stimulate Antibody Responses in Humanized Mice by Promoting T, B and Dendritic Cell Maturation. Journal of Immunology. 2012 Dec 1;189(11):5223-9. Chen et al. discovered that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) induced T, B, and dendritic cell (DC) maturation in humanised mice. Post-immunisation, cytokine treated humanised mice produced antigen-specific IgG and neutralising antibodies specific for H5N1 avian influenza virus. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gwugEnGk #immunotherapy

The pursuit of longevity has been a longstanding goal of humanity, and advances in medical science have brought us closer to achieving this aspiration. Recently, RNA vaccines have emerged as a revolutionary tool in the field of vaccinology, demonstrating remarkable efficacy against infectious diseases. Building on this success, there is growing interest in exploring the potential of RNA vaccines for applications beyond infectious disease control, including longevity enhancement. This research proposal aims to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of RNA vaccines in promoting longevity.

I am pleased to be involved in a great new paper just published in Nature Communications by Dimuthu Angage, Mick Foley and others on malaria. In this study, we identified an i-body (a small antibody-like molecule) targeting the protein AMA1 that is involved in merozoite invasion of red blood cells and sporozoite invasion of hepatocytes. It was remarkable that the i-body targeted a conserved epitope present on AMA1 from different Plasmodium species, including P. falciparum, vivax, and knowlesi and could inhibit infection of red blood cells and hepatocytes. This remarkable finding may open the door to new pan-species therapeutics or vaccines. https://lnkd.in/gtFbQKF7

Some of my favorite images from my thesis research are mistakes :) Would LOVE to have this as wallpaper in a reading nook 😍 Image: Macrophages and GFP Mycobacterium Tuberculosis treated with BCG vaccine under x10 microscopy via Incucyte Live Cell Imaging #Immunology #Cellbiology #DrugDiscovery #ImageAnalysis

#OnTheBeamlines: Our body’s immune system uses several components, including B cells, to guard against infections caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses. The success of vaccines in preventing infections depends on proteins produced by B cells called antibodies. B cells also help to control the immune system; when they do not function properly, the immune system becomes unbalanced, resulting in devastating autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia. Researchers from The Hospital for Sick Children used our CMCF-ID beamline to better understand the structure and function of molecules produced by B cells. Jean-Philippe Julien says what his team learns could serve as a blueprint for designing next-generation therapies that prevent HIV-1, COVID-19, and malaria, and therapeutic antibodies that will treat autoimmune diseases and cancer. “This work will help pioneer better vaccines and therapeutics for Canadian children and adults.” #Vaccines #Health #AutoimmuneDisease Image: Members of the Julien Lab, from left to right, Jean-Philippe Julien, Tony Semesi, Danton Ivanochko, and Sophia Hailemariam.

🌐✨ World News: Recent Breakthroughs in Medical Therapies ✨🌐 1️⃣ Malaria Prevention: R21 Vaccine 📅 In October 2023, World Health Organization recommended the R21 vaccine for preventing malaria in children. This marks the second malaria vaccine prequalified by WHO, achieving a groundbreaking 75% efficacy. Malaria, a major threat in the African Region, claims nearly half a million young lives annually. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO's regional director for Africa, emphasizes the potential of the R21 vaccine to bridge the demand-supply gap and save countless lives. University of Oxford, Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., Novavax 🌍 https://lnkd.in/gz84mzQf 2️⃣ Precision Gene-Editing for Cholesterol Reduction 🧬 A super-precise gene-editing approach has successfully switched off a liver gene regulating 'bad' cholesterol. In the first trial of 'base editing' in humans, involving 10 patients, the results are promising, showing a significant reduction in "bad cholesterol" levels. This breakthrough paves the way for innovative treatments targeting cholesterol regulation. Verve Therapeutics 🩺https://lnkd.in/gS2E96_P 3️⃣ CRISPR Revolution: Exagamglogene Autotemcel 🌟 Exagamglogene autotemcel, the first CRISPR-based gene therapy, has received approval. This groundbreaking therapy utilizes CRISPR technology to treat certain forms of sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. Both MHRA and EMA have recommended approval for Casgevy, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a medicine using CRISPR/Cas9, specifically for treating beta thalassemia and severe sickle cell disease in patients aged 12 and older. 🧪 https://lnkd.in/dpvJABAC What other breaking news in the world of medical science do you know? Share your insights! 🚀💡 #viralvectors #vaccine #genetherapy #celltherapy #worldnews #MedicalBreakthroughs #HumanTherapies #InnovationJourney  #MalariaPrevention #R21Vaccine #GlobalHealth  #GeneEditing #CholesterolReduction #MedicalInnovation #CRISPRInnovation #MedicalAdvancements

#OnTheBeamlines: Our body’s immune system uses several components, including B cells, to guard against infections caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses. The success of vaccines in preventing infections depends on proteins produced by B cells called antibodies. B cells also help to control the immune system; when they do not function properly, the immune system becomes unbalanced, resulting in devastating autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia. Researchers from The Hospital for Sick Children used our CMCF-ID beamline to better understand the structure and function of molecules produced by B cells. Jean-Philippe Julien says what his team learns could serve as a blueprint for designing next-generation therapies that prevent HIV-1, COVID-19, and malaria, and therapeutic antibodies that will treat autoimmune diseases and cancer. “This work will help pioneer better vaccines and therapeutics for Canadian children and adults.” #Vaccines #Health #AutoimmuneDisease Image: Members of the Julien Lab, from left to right, Jean-Philippe Julien, Tony Semesi, Danton Ivanochko, and Sophia Hailemariam.

#OnTheBeamlines: Our body’s immune system uses several components, including B cells, to guard against infections caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses. The success of vaccines in preventing infections depends on proteins produced by B cells called antibodies. B cells also help to control the immune system; when they do not function properly, the immune system becomes unbalanced, resulting in devastating autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia. Researchers from The Hospital for Sick Children used our CMCF-ID beamline to better understand the structure and function of molecules produced by B cells. Jean-Philippe Julien says what his team learns could serve as a blueprint for designing next-generation therapies that prevent HIV-1, COVID-19, and malaria, and therapeutic antibodies that will treat autoimmune diseases and cancer. “This work will help pioneer better vaccines and therapeutics for Canadian children and adults.” #Vaccines #Health #AutoimmuneDisease Image: Members of the Julien Lab, from left to right, Jean-Philippe Julien, Tony Semesi, Danton Ivanochko, and Sophia Hailemariam.