Exploring natural immunity to Strep A

Can you share a brief outline of a recent knowledge exchange activity with an external partner?

Myself and Professor Thushan de Silva formed a research collaboration between Florey Institute members in the Clinical Infection Research Group, and the serology and immunoassays group at GSK Vaccine Institute for Global Health (GVGH). Group A Streptococcus (known as Strep A) is a common type of bacteria which can be found naturally in our throats and on our skin. It can cause different types of illness, some of which can be serious. Serious Strep A infections are a particular problem in low- and middle-income countries. There is currently no vaccine available to prevent Strep A infections. Scientists are looking closely at the immunity which some people naturally develop when they successfully fight off a Strep A infection to understand more about how to design an effective vaccine.

I spent a month training in immunoassays for Strep A, and co-developed an assay to measure antibodies to Strep A vaccine antigens. I then used this experience to transfer a high throughput assay to the Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), where I measured antibodies from 3500 samples obtained in a longitudinal cohort study of Strep A carriage, infection and transmission. A second training placement in in vitro functional immunoassays allowed me to explore natural immune responses in more detail.

What motivated you to work with these partners?

A widely recognised research gap towards a safe effective and equitable Strep A vaccine is the lack of understanding of natural immunity. We therefore sought to collaborate with a leading vaccine manufacturer to focus our investigation of natural immunity to Strep A on antigens contained within this vaccine. We approached the team at GVGH who were enthusiastic about the collaboration and project. The investigations have provided valuable insights into natural immunity in a key target population of a Strep A vaccine.

How did you engage with them?

By training in Strep A immunoassays at GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health and supporting assay transfer to MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM.

What benefits have you seen as a result of this, both for your research and more widely?

I was actively involved in the co-development of an assay to industry standards, providing both high quality training and a methodology paper forming a chapter of my PhD. The research delivered through this collaboration has added valuable insights into the development of natural immunity in The Gambia and has been presented at several international conferences. The collaboration has provided a positive model for gaining immunological insights using robust assays, with candidate vaccine antigens, which are highly relevant to the wider research community. This contribution has been acknowledged by the Strep A Vaccine Global Consortium, and stands to contribute in the fight to reduce suffering from Strep A disease through a vaccine.

To discuss knowledge exchange and partnership opportunities with the Florey Institute, please contact us via scienceke@sheffield.ac.uk in the first instance. For academic collaboration opportunities, please direct your initial enquiry to a member of the Florey Management Board.