Examination of the effect of Neisseria outer membrane vesicles on T cell responses to recombinant vaccine antigens

外膜囊泡（OMV）作为抗细菌疫苗的潜在组分目前吸引了相当大的兴趣。OMV由脂多糖（LPS）、蛋白质、荚膜寡糖和其他组分的复杂混合物组成。已知它们刺激对添加的重组蛋白抗原的免疫样作用，但对这种作用的基础知之甚少。一个强大的和保护性的IgG抗体反应需要CD 4 + T细胞帮助抗原特异性B细胞。该项目特别关注OMV组合物对T细胞对疫苗抗原应答的影响的评价。它将联合收割机蛋白质设计和工程与体外和体内方法相结合，用于研究抗原特异性T细胞增殖。该项目将特别适合具有生物化学或生物化学背景的学生，他们希望将自己的技能应用于疫苗学当前发展的令人兴奋的领域。该项目将采用设计-构建-测试循环方法，采用分子图形学和计算工具设计工程抗原，然后使用一系列免疫学检测进行表达、纯化和测试。该项目的一个主要吸引力是与世界领先的疫苗开发商和制造商之一的大型制药公司GSK合作。这是一个特殊的机会，让学生在生物医学和商业疫苗开发的一个令人兴奋的领域发展自己的技能。

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are currently attracting considerable interest as potential components in vaccines against bacteria. OMVs consist of a complex mixture of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), proteins, capsular oligosaccharides and other components. They are known to stimulate an adjuvant-like effect on added recombinant protein antigens, but the basis for this effect is poorly understood. A robust and protective IgG antibody response requires CD4+ T-cell help to antigen-specific B cells. This project is focussed specifically on an evaluation of the influence of OMV composition on T cell responses to vaccine antigens. It will combine protein design and engineering with in vitro and in vivo methods for the study of antigen-specific T cell proliferation. The project would particularly suit a student with a background in Biochemistry or Biological Chemistry, who would like to apply their skills to an exciting field of current development within vaccinology. The project will use a Design-Build-Test cycle approach, employing molecular graphics and computational tools to design engineered antigens, which will then be expressed, purified and tested using a range of immunological assays. A major attraction of the project is the collaboration with the major pharmaceutical company GSK, one of the world's leading developers and manufacturers of vaccines. This is an exceptional opportunity for a student to develop their skills in an exciting area of biomedicine and commercial vaccine development.