Developing a chlamydia trachomatis vaccine for ocular infections: TRACVAC

Research objectives include:

1.  The development of a vaccine that protects against the bacterial strains causing ocular Chlamydia trachomatis infections: This will be achieved through Identification of naturally protected individuals from trachoma endemic regions with highneutralising titres. Identification of neutralising epitopes from the major outer membrane antigen (MOMP) of Chlamydia trachomatis by:
   • B cell cloning and screening of human nAbs. 
   • High density peptide array screening and competitive inhibition assays. 
   • Vaccine design will employ immuno-repeat technology that is known to increase the quality and quantity of the vaccine promoted response. 
2. Development of an immunization protocol for optimal ocular mucosal immunity through a prime boost vaccination strategy and a Clinical phase I evaluation of a trachoma vaccine to provide early proof of concept for the overall strategy.