Exploration of streptococcal carbohydrates for glycoconjugate vaccine development

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Strep A bacteria are human exclusive pathogens that are responsible for more than 700 m cases of infection globally per annum, with > 500,000 patients dying. Antimicrobial resistance increases in invasive Strep A isolates. Novel therapeutic options must be considered and the Dorfmueller laboratory has functionally build a glycoconjugate vaccine production platform that provides novel opportunities. The student will explore an E. coli production platform to test the feasibility to build several streptococcal proteins decorated with a species-specific carbohydrate. The student will be engaged in molecular biology and biochemistry, protein purification and analysis. In addition to Strep A bacteria, many other human and veterinary streptococcal bacteria produce related carbohydrates that are yet to be explored as vaccine candidates. The student will have the task to investigate the feasibility to engineer and build these carbohydrates in E. coli and characterise them for their composition and ability to be immunogenic. The student will also have the opportunity to build novel 'vehicles' for this new generation of carbohydrate vaccine candidates. In addition to expert training and advice in molecular biology, synthetic and glycan biology, the student will have the opportunity to communicate their project via different channels, including seminar presentations and public engagements activities.