Exploiting nanoparticles as vaccines
- Research Opportunity
- PhD, Honours, Master of Biomedical Science
- Department
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Location
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute
| Primary Supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Justine Mintern | jmintern@unimelb.edu.au | 83442976 | Personal web page |
| Co-supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professor Jose Villadangos | j.villadangos@unimelb.edu.au |
Project Details
Nanoparticles have exciting potential to serve as modular therapeutic delivery systems that can target any cell type and carry any therapeutic peptide cargo. One emerging application for nanoparticles is their use as next generation vaccines. While there have been significant successes in vaccine research, there are still many remaining challenges including developing vaccines against chronic infections such as HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, together with exploiting the potential of vaccination to eliminate cancer.
To develop vaccines against chronic disease, nanoparticles are needed that can target the cells responsible for initiating immunity, dendritic cells, and release immunogenic peptides (antigen). Here, we will examine the potential of nanoparticles as carriers that enable effective vaccination. We will investigate how different nanoparticle formulations can be used to elicit immunity to infection and tumours. We will investigate caveospheres, biological nanoparticles consisting of vessicles derived from cell membranes, in addition to synthetic nanoparticles that can be designed with properties that enable manipulation of the endocytic pathway. Nanoparticles will be tested in immune assays including as vaccines against lymphoma and influenza virus infection.
Faculty Research Themes
School Research Themes
Infection & Immunity, Cancer in Biomedicine, Cell Signalling, Molecular Mechanisms of Disease
Research Opportunities
PhD, Honours, Master of Biomedical Science
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
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Research Group / Unit / Centre
Mintern laboratory: Vaccine biology
Research Node
Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology InstituteMDHS Research library
Explore by researcher, school, project or topic.