 Prof. Nawamin Pinpathomrat
Associate Professor of Immunology
Prince of Songkla University
Thailand |
Title:
Preclinical study of TB vaccine development using viral vector and mRNA delivering platforms
Abstract:
A vaccine against tuberculosis (TB), a disease resulting after infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), is urgently needed to prevent more than a million deaths per year. Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) is the only available vaccine against TB but its efficacy is variable throughout the world. IrtA (Rv1348), PPE68 (Rv3873) and PE9 (Rv1088) were recognised by active and latently infected individuals as well by M.tb infected mice. These antigens were expressed individually in ChAdOx1. IrtA, PPE68 and PE9 were immunogenic. ChAdOx1 expressing IrtA, PPE68 or PE9 induced strong cytokine responses. A trend for better protection against M.tb was observed after ChAdOx1.IrtA vaccination compared to naïve mice. However, the efficacy of these vaccine candidates was not statistically significant. These antigens were then administered in the most optimised vaccine regimen which is BCG-ChAdOx1-MVA. However, ChAdOx1-MVA expressing the same antigen was also not successful in improving BCG protection. Combining these immunogenic antigens as viral vector and mRNA vaccine could provide the optimal protection.
Biography:
Dr. Nawamin Pinpathomrat is a physician-scientist specializing in immunology and vaccine development. He received his M.D. from Prince of Songkla University, Thailand, where he leads translational research focused on host-pathogen interactions and immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Dr. Pinpathomrat’s work centres on the design and evaluation of novel vaccine candidates, with particular emphasis on mRNA-based and viral vector platforms. His research integrates molecular biology, cellular immunology, and experimental model development to advance next-generation tuberculosis vaccines.
In addition to his research activities, Dr. Pinpathomrat is actively involved in academic mentorship and institutional development, including the establishment of biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory infrastructure to support preclinical tuberculosis studies. His interdisciplinary approach contributes to innovations in TB vaccine research and translational immunology.
|
