Vaccine Development and Pathogenesis

Project Leader: Dr Nick West

Ultimately we hope to prevent the spread of TB through vaccination and to improve the outcome for those already infected.

To achieve these two goals we must first understand the microbe and how it causes disease. This is why research within the group is aimed at identifying the genetic repertoire possessed by the bacterium, which is essential for its replication within the host and causation of disease. Additionally we are concerned how the bacterium is able to survive within the host for the life of the host, usually without causing any symptoms at all.

With this information we will be better placed to make informed decisions regarding drug development to treat both acute and chronic infections. Furthermore, knowing what pathways are essential to the bacterium may also provide new vaccine candidates.

Research focus

Our focus is to investigate processes of pathogenesis with the outcome being improved vaccines and treatments for tuberculosis. We are searching for and identifying potential vaccine candidate proteins of M. tuberculosis. With these newly identified candidate vaccine components we are investigating novel ways to deliver them to the host.

Another active research project includes the characterisation of a family of M. tuberculosis enzymes which are secreted from the bacterium. At least one of these proteins is believed to be essential to the survival of the organism.

In addition to our vaccine work we are committed to understanding the disease process, from a bacterial prospective. We endeavour to identify the gene set required to: 1. Colonise the lung, 2. Spread to distant organs, and 3. Establish a life-long chronic infection. Research staff and students are actively pursuing programs in each of these broad topic areas.