Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Publication Date

7-29-2025

Abstract

Bacteriophage virus-like particles are highly immunogenic, self-assembling platforms used for various vaccines. This work shows efforts to explore new vaccine candidates against Chlamydia trachomatis, targeting proteins that play critical roles in attachment and entry into the host cell, as well as in pathogenesis and bacteria proliferation. This work also shows the optimization of previously identified candidates, by investigating how altering routes of immunization can change the antibody profiles elicited, both systemically and locally. Finally, this work shows the establishment of various Chlamydia infection models in an effort to expand the ways in which vaccine efficacy can be investigated, particularly in penis, anorectal, and sexual transmission models of infection. Overall, this work furthers efforts to establish a multi-epitope Chlamydia vaccine that is able to protect against infection at various anatomic sites, and is optimized for protection.

Sponsors

The National Institutes of Health and National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Biomedical Sciences

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program

First Committee Member (Chair)

Bryce Chackerian

Second Committee Member

Kathryn M. Frietze

Third Committee Member

Judy Cannon

Fourth Committee Member

Terry Wu

Fifth Committee Member

Russell Morton

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