Developing New Vaccines Symposium 2026

9.50am-10.15am

Overcoming malaria immunoregulation to improve vaccine efficacy

Approved and experimental vaccines have lower efficacy in malaria exposed populations compared to malaria naive, western adults. We hypothesis that one factor in this reduced response is malaria driven immunoregulation. We are using secondary lymphoid tissue samples from malaria infected and exposed individuals to dissect mechanisms of immunoregulation. Further, we are developing germinal centre culture systems to test malaria vaccines in target population and identify approaches that overcome immunoregulation.

Michelle Boyle, Burnet Institute
Rama Dhenni, Burnet Institute

10.15am-10.35am

Identifying targets of acquired immunity to desgin more protective malaria vaccines

Linda Reiling, Burnet Institute

10.35am-11.15am

Morning Tea

11.15am-11.30am

Germinal centre dysfunction in malaria and implications for vaccine design

Despite repeated exposures, immunity to malaria develops slowly, and vaccine efficacy is significantly reduced in endemic settings. Emerging evidence suggests that malaria disrupts adaptive immune development at its central site, the germinal centre (GC) within secondary lymphoid organs. This talk will discuss our recent work defining mechanisms by which malaria dysregulates T follicular helper cells and antibody-secreting B cells within the splenic GC during chronic infection.

Damian Ooyong, Burnet Institute

11.30am-11.45am

Analysis of a malaria vaccine in African children to inform next generation vaccine design

Alessia Hysa, Burnet Institute

11.45am-12.00pm

B cell responses to bacterial glycan antigens and how this informs glycan-contatining vaccines (TBC)

Danika Hill, Monash University

12.00pm-12.15pm

Exploiting essential malaria proteins to develop a novel multi-stage malaria vaccine

Malaria, caused by the Plasmodium parasite, has a complex lifecycle that alternates between the liver, blood and mosquitoes. Although vaccines can target each stage individually, achieving high efficacy has been challenging due to this complexity. The PTRAMP-CSS heterodimer forms part of the PCRCR complex and is essential for erythrocyte invasaion during blood-stage infection. However, both proteins are also expressed in mosquito and liver stages, raisinng the possibility of targeting them in a multi-stage vaccine. In this seminar, I will present our recent findings evaluating the feasibility of targeting PTRAMP-CSS as vaccine antigen across the parasite lifecycle and demonstrate how these insights provide the 3D blueprints for rational vaccine design.

Steve Scally, WEHI

12.15pm-12.30pm

Quest for a Streptococcus pyogenes vaccine: Not all those who wander are lost

The human-restricted bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes (also known as Group A Streptococcus) causes an immense global burden of disease across a diverse clinical spectrum spanning mild to life-threatening acute infections and deadly post-infectious syndromes such as chronic rheumatic heart disease. Despite the compelling clinical case, modern vaccine development has been impeded by scientific, commercial, and regulatory barriers. Until now. New technologies, new tools, and new collaborations are finally building momentum towards addressing the unmet global public health need for a vaccine to prevent S. pyogenes diseases.

Josh Osowicki, MCRI

12.30pm-12.50pm

Developing mRNA vaccines for liver-resident CD8 T cell responses against malaria

Tissue-resident memory T (Trm) cells are subset of memory T cells that remain in the tissue where they develop (i.e. liver, lungs, skin etc.). They can patrol tissues for antigen and rapidly kill pathogen-infected cells, clearing the pathogen before systemic infection occurs. Liver Trm have been shown to be highly protective in the context of liver-stage malaria infection. Recently, we described an mRNA vaccine that can generate large numbers of liver Trm that protect mice from malaria sporozoite infection. We have now characterised how type I interferons (IFN-I) impair liver Trm generation through signalling in dendritic cells. Furthermore, by reducing mRNA vaccine-induced IFN-I production, the liver Trm response is greatly improved and vaccine-mediated protection can be achieved with high doses of sporozoite challenge.

Mitch Ganlet, PDI

12.50pm-1.15pm

Discussion

1.15pm-2.15pm

Lunch

2.15pm-2.35pm

Vaccines for P. Vivax - New approaches against an ancient pathogen (TBC)

Herbert Opi, Burnet Institute

2.35pm-2.55pm

Anatomy of an mRNA Vaccine: How the Molecule is Engineered

An exploration of the design principles underlying mRNA vaccines. The talk focuses on how specific RNA elements are engineered to control protein production and performance.

Stewart Fabb, MIPS Monash

2.55pm-3.15pm

Targeting Conserved CD4*T Cell Epitopes to Enable Broad-Spectrum Bacterial Vaccines

I will present how immunopeptidomics was used to identify protective CD4*T cell epitopes from a conserved bacterial protein, supporting the development of broader spectrum vaccines against staphylococci and streptpcpcci.

Linda Wakim, Doherty Institute

3.15pm-3.35pm

Hepatitis C vaccines development and challenges ahead

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a major global health burden, with no licensed vaccine despite the availability of curative antiviral therapies. This presentation will provide an overview of the key strategies pursued in HCV vaccine development, including approaches targeting neutralising antibody and T cell responses, and insights gained from clinical trials and preclinical studies. Recent advances in antigen design and emerging vaccine platforms will be discussed, along with the major immunological, virological and clinical challenges that continue to limit vaccine success. Finally, future directions and priorities for achieving an effective HCV vaccine will be highlighted. 

Joey McGregor, Burnet Institute

3.35pm-3.55pm

HLA antigen presentation and structural approaches (TBC)

Stephanie Gras, La Trobe University

3.55pm-4.15pm

Discussion

4.15pm-4.30pm

Close

James Beeson, Burnet Institute