TQEH Department Research
Aged and Extended Care Services (Geriatric Medicine)
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Anaesthesia, Department of
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Cardiology Unit
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Clinical Pharmacology Unit
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Dermatology Unit
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Endocrinology Unit
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Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit
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Gynaecology, Department of
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Haematology and Medical Oncology, the combined Departments of
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Intensive Care Unit
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Medicine, University of Adelaide Discipline of
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Neurology Unit
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Nuclear Medicine Unit
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Nursing Research
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Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Department of
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Psychiatry, University of Adelaide Discipline of
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Renal Unit
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Respiratory Medicine Unit
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Rheumatology Unit
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Surgery, University of Adelaide Discipline of
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Therapeutics Research Centre
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Virology Group
Specialist projects HCV and HIV Vaccines
Research Overview
The aim of our research is to investigate novel vaccine strategies for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To achieve this, we have generated a number of potential vaccine strategies and test the efficacy of these in animal models. To date, we have shown that DNA which encodes a suicide gene, designed to kill the cell targeted by the vaccine, is more effective than a DNA vaccine which has no encoded suicide gene. We have also examined the potential of a natural adjuvant, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) to improve the efficacy of an HIV vaccine, and shown that two forms of HSP70 viz membrane bound and secreted, can improve HIV specific immunity.
In an effort to realise the great potential of DNA vaccines, we are also studying methods to deliver DNA vaccines more effectively. We have shown that a DNA vaccine which is encapsulated in a lipid virosome is delivered more effectively to cells in the respiratory tract and showed that this resulted in a detectable mucosal immune response. We will pursue these studies vigorously because and effective intranasal vaccine strategy will also elicit an effective mucosal immune response in the vaginal mucosa, and since 80% of HIV infections result from heterosexual HIV transmission, this is expected to reduce the incidence of HIV infection.
We have applied the results of our studies to the development of a human vaccine and we are currently performing a Phase I clinical trial to test the efficacy of a therapeutic HCV vaccine in patients who have failed conventional therapy.
Current Projects
The development of a recombinant porcine adenovirus as a vaccine delivery vehicle.
Necrotic cells as powerful immunogens.
Targeted delivery of DNA to antigen presenting cells and keratinocytes by intradermal vaccination.
Studies to improve the efficacy of DNA vaccines by the inclusion of a sucide gene.
Heat shock protein 70 as a natural adjuvant in HIV vaccine studies.
