Viral vector vaccines
Live-attenuated vaccines have proven to be highly protective and cost-effective. For diseases, for which safe live-attenuated vaccines cannot be generated, e.g. HIV, Malaria, HCV, cancer, viral vector vaccines are a promising alternative. However, viral vector vaccines generally induce neutralizing antibodies to the vector itself and thus loose efficacy upon repeated application. Therefore, viral vector vaccine regimens usually involve serial administration of different viral vector vaccines and/or combinations with a protein or a DNA vaccine. We have previously described the first viral vector vaccine that does not induce neutralizing antibodies to the viral vector in mouse models, VSV-GP. VSV-GP is the vesicular stomatitis virus pseudotyped with the glycoprotein GP of an arenavirus (LCMV).
We are currently working on the development of VSV-GP based vaccines against infectious disease such as HIV. Additionally, we are interested in understanding the mechanisms of immune responses after immunization with viral vector vaccines.
Members
Dr.phil.nat. Janine Kimpel - Group Leader
Lydia Riepler, M.Sc. - PhD Student
Albert Falch, M.Sc. - Technical Assistent
Frederik Radvan, M.Sc. - PhD Student
Former Members
Manuela Lunardon- Technician
Alex Deltedesco- Bachelor thesis
Tamara Hofer- Bachelor thesis
Marina Krismer- Master thesis
Sabrina Schneider- Master thesis
Christine Gottschalk- Medical diploma thesis
Christrian Strießnig- Medical diploma thesis
Reinhard Tober- PhD thesis
Valentin Schiessendoppler- Technician
M.Sc. Anika Bresk - PhD student
Manuel Salvatore - Master studentRegina Mutzbauer - Master student