​Ward: Analytics Network for Characterization of HIV Env immunogens, Formulation

OVERVIEW

A large number of immunogens that mimic the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein spike are being developed as potential vaccines for clinical testing. The Ward consortium will use electron microscopy and biophysical analyses to assess and compare these immunogens, provide data for improvement, and help select the best candidates for clinical testing. In addition, the Ward lab will perform evaluations of the integrity and stability of these Env immunogens in various adjuvant formulations considered for clinical investigations. The team will also use newly developed EM methods to map the polyclonal serum responses at the molecular level on the Env immunogen structures.
The primary investment outcomes include the following:

a. Quality control of Env protein antigens for preclinical and clinical studies to ensure the optimal integrity, purity, and stability of both unformulated and adjuvant-formulated materials.

b. An improved understanding of the polyclonal antibody responses to HIV Env immunogens in vaccine studies as well as during HIV infection.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

1. Evaluate translational Env immunogen candidates for stability and structure, including formulations containing adjuvants (up to 300 samples per year).

2. Evaluate developmental Env immunogen candidates for stability and structure (up to 200 samples per year).

3. Evaluate polyclonal antibody responses from human clinical trials (up to 200 samples per year).

​4. Evaluate polyclonal antibody responses from preclinical animal studies (up to 300 samples per year).

The grant is led by Andrew Ward at Scripps Research, La Jolla.