With more than 5,000 genes and a maddeningly complicated life cycle, the malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) has routinely outmaneuvered the human immune system and long
frustrated vaccine development efforts.
This morning in London, Merck and the Wellcome Trust unveiled an unusual
joint vaccine development effort, a $ 145 million non-profit research institute to be formed in India by the end of next year.
Today, AFRIMS plays a key role in international
HIV vaccine development efforts and works in close partnership with the U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP) and Thai partners such as the Thai Ministry of Public Health, Mahidol Unversity, the Thai Red Cross, Chiang Mai University and the Royal Thai Army.
«Now that we know that [the difference] exists, it contributes to our understanding of why the vaccine is not effective in all cases and informs
future vaccine development efforts,» said Dr. Dan Neafsey, associate director of the Genomic Center for Infectious Diseases at the Broad and co-first author of the study.
The group created «heartier influenza viruses» to «streamline vaccine production,» which places the research in the GOF category, suggesting that its valuable contribution to
vaccine development efforts might not have been allowed under current policies.
«These efforts gave us a head - start for
our vaccine development efforts.»
Applying the principles of infection control brought the epidemic under control but a concern for reemergence naturally or a deliberate release supported continuation of
a vaccine development effort so as to have the knowledge and capability necessary for preparing and using an effective vaccine should a need arise.
Aravinda de Silva, PhD, professor of microbiology and immunology, and a post-doctoral researcher Stefan Metz, PhD, recently published the latest on
their vaccine development efforts in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.
Moving the Needle provides quarterly updates from PATH's Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access (CVIA) on
our vaccine development efforts, as well as related supporting work, such as developing human challenge models, building capacity of developing - country vaccine manufacturers, and evaluating new adjuvants and other novel vaccine technologies.