时间：2010年11月4日（星期四）上午9:40

地点：8797威尼斯老品牌（东11楼）二楼会议室

报告人：Professor James C. Richards

Institute for Biological Sciences, National Research Council, Canada

摘要：

     Previous studies in our laboratories have identified the potential of LPS-based vaccines to combat bacterial infections caused by Gram negative pathogens, including Heamophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Neisseria meningitidis. The presentation will focus on our work aimed at designing an LPS-based vaccine for  meningococcal disease. This was achieved by demonstrating bactericidal activity and the ability to provide passive protection of sera from mice immunized with glycoconjugates prepared by coupling of O-deacylated LPS from gale  mutant of  N. meningitidis  strain MC58  to CRM197 via the reducing end following dephosphorylation with alkaline phosphatase.  Subsequent studies have been directed towards designing a more robust conjugation strategy as a platform technology. The present study describes a novel conjugation strategy that still targets the terminal glucosamine disaccharide as the point of attachment to the carrier protein. To achieve this goal we have developed the use of amidases produced by the slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum. This methodology has facilitated a more robust conjugation strategy which has led to glycoconjugates with much improved carbohydrate loading. Mice and rabbits have been immunized with these ‘high-loading’ conjugates and the sera evaluated for cross-reactivity and functional activity.