Date of Completion
12-21-2015
Embargo Period
12-18-2025
Keywords
Vaccines, Nanotechnology, Malaria, Influenza
Major Advisor
Peter Burkhard
Associate Advisor
Charles Giardina
Associate Advisor
Mazhar I. Khan
Associate Advisor
Eric May
Field of Study
Structural Biology and Biophysics
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Open Access
Open Access
Abstract
Nanotechnology and nanoparticles are one type of vaccine delivery system. Potentially, the most exciting nanoparticle for vaccine development is our Self-Assembling Protein Nanoparticles (SAPNs). Based off of coiled-coil oligomerization domains, SAPNs self-assemble into particles that are about the size and shape of small icosahedral viruses. Studies have demonstrated that SAPNs are effective vaccine candidates, inducing immune responses as well as protection for malaria, toxoplasmosis, influenza, and SARS. While effective, one missing component for SAPNs is the presence of an immunopotentiator. We have sought to resolve this problem by generating Self-Adjuvanted SAPNs. These SAPNs contain a small concentration of flagellin, a PAMP, known activate both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Self-Adjuvanted SAPNs closely mimic the benefits of both whole organism vaccines as well as subunit vaccines. They contain a high concentration of antigens and immunostimilatory molecules in a fixed unit like a whole organism, while being specifically targeted to only optimal vaccine targets.
Recommended Citation
Karch, Christopher P., "Development of Self-Adjuvanted Self-Assembling Protein Nanoparticles for Use as Vaccine Candidates" (2015). Doctoral Dissertations. 953.
https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/dissertations/953