Abstract

Abstract Antigenically diverse pathogens, such as coronaviruses, highlight the need for broad-spectrum vaccines that protect against a range of variants. In this talk, I will introduce Spectravax, a computational framework for designing vaccines optimised for genetic diversity in both hosts and pathogens. Using Spectravax, I designed a nucleocapsid antigen that elicited immune responses to SARS -CoV-1, SARS -CoV-2, and MERS -CoV—the three coronaviruses responsible for major outbreaks since 2002.

Speaker Bio: Phil recently submitted his PhD thesis, which he completed in Prof. Jonathan Heeney’s lab, focusing on computational methods to design broad-spectrum vaccines and antibodies. He previously worked as a bioinformatician in industry, was a visiting researcher at MIT , and completed his undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of Southampton.

Chaired by John Gibson