Cow antibodies that give the finger to HIV transmission
- Research Opportunity
- PhD students, Masters by Research, Honours students
- Number of Honour Places Available
- 1
- Number of Master Places Available
- 1
- Department / Centre
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Location
- Doherty Institute
| Primary Supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professor Damian Purcell | dfjp@unimelb.edu.au | 8344 6753 | Personal web page |
| Co-supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Behnaz Heydarchi |
Summary This project will further characterise monoclonal antibody bNAbs we have isolated from vaccinated cows, and define the genetic evolution of the immunoglobulin genes during the immune response needed to form an effective protective antibody.
Project Details
Prophylactic HIV vaccines aim to elicit broad neutralising antibody (bNAb) at the sexual mucosa to block virus transmission. We were the first to find and publish that vaccination of dairy cows with HIV Envgp140 trimer vaccines can elicit broad and potent bNAb responses in vast scale in the colostrum milk. This was patented for use as a passive antibody-microbicide prevention against HIV-transmission and has been scaled up and developed for clinical testing with a commercial partner. This project will further characterise monoclonal antibody bNAbs we have isolated from vaccinated cows, and define the genetic evolution of the immunoglobulin genes during the immune response needed to form an effective protective antibody.
Faculty Research Themes
School Research Themes
Research Opportunities
PhD students, Masters by Research, Honours students
Students who are interested in joining this project will need to consider their elegibility as well as other requirements before contacting the supervisor of this research
Key Contact
For further information about this research, please contact a supervisor.
Department / Centre
Research Group / Unit / Centre
Purcell laboratory: Viral RNA elements, regulation of HIV replication, HIV antibody vaccine
Research Node
Doherty InstituteMDHS Research library
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