Priscilla Du
Research Mentor(s): Yongqun He
Mentor Department: Medicine
Authors:
Session: Session 6 (3:00pm – 3:50pm)
Presentation Type: Oral
Abstract
This research explores the potential for developing vaccines that are effective across multiple species by focusing on swine influenza vaccines. The study aims to identify common protective antigens that could serve as universal targets, consequently simplifying vaccine development and enhancing control of influenza across species. Influenza A viruses, including those causing swine flu, present a significant threat to both human and animal health due to their zoonotic nature. Developing vaccines that offer cross-species protection could mitigate these threats and provide a streamlined approach to combatting emerging infectious diseases. Using the VIOLIN vaccine database, we have compiled and analyzed a comprehensive list of swine influenza vaccines, focusing on those with demonstrated efficacy in both human and non-human subjects. By examining protein domains and immunogenic profiles, we aim to identify common antigens that show promise for cross-species protection. In addition, we conduct a comparative analysis of vaccine-induced immune responses across different host species, with a focus on identifying patterns in efficacy and adverse events. Preliminary findings suggest the presence of certain conserved protein domains that are recognized by the immune systems across multiple species. Our data indicates the potential for these antigens to serve as universal vaccine targets, which could pave the way for broader vaccine applicability. This study provides insights into the feasibility of cross-species vaccine development, highlighting the potential of common protective antigens in swine influenza vaccines. Future research will focus on validating these targets and exploring their application in multi-species vaccine formulations. The identification of universal vaccine antigens opens new possibilities for controlling zoonotic diseases more efficiently, reducing the economic and public health burden of influenza outbreaks across different species.
