Project at a glance

Translational vaccine immunology

The laboratory is part of the Center of Vaccinology and focus on understanding the role of innate immunity in vaccine response. The ability of a vaccine to induce a long-lasting antibody and T cell response is conditioned by the initial stimulation of the innate immune system, in particular antigen-presenting cells. Individuals with immunocompromising conditions, such as transplant or patients or those taking immunomodulatory drugs, are generally less responsive to vaccines. Understanding the mechanisms involved in this hypo-responsiveness can allow the design of improved and more targeted vaccination strategies for these population, who remained at higher risk of infections.

Through a translational approach, combining clinical research studies and studies in animal models, we aim at defining which alterations in innate immune response to vaccines (changes in gene expression level, inflammatory mediators) due to the disease or drugs translate into a change in the quality of the antigen specific response (antibodies, T and B cell response).

In addition, the lab is interested in exploring the mechanism of action of various vaccines technologies in animal models, including adjuvants, focusing on the role of local innate immunity in vaccine response.

Finally, through an affiliation to the Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases at the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), the lab is also involved in clinical research studies on respiratory viral infections (such as SARS-COV2).