About the Lab
The Laboratory for Advanced Immunotechnologies and Formulation aims to explore and advance vaccine technologies to develop novel and improved vaccine solutions.
"Amastigote" usually refers to the stage in which Trypanosoma cruzi replicates in mammalian host cells. In this image, taken by confocal microscopy, amastigotes are seen in parasitophorous vacuoles around the nucleus. By using fluorescent dyes and a fluorescent antibody, we can observe the cell nucleus (blue, DAPI), actin filaments (white, phalloidin conjugate), and heat shock protein 40 (DnaJ), one of our vaccine candidates (magenta, antibody conjugate).
Research Projects
Vaccine Formulation
The Formulation Unit of our team oversees vaccine formulations at the Texas Children's Center for Vaccine Development. We guide members and collaborators in selecting vaccine adjuvants, excipients and development methods. Within our lab, we conduct formulation studies to verify the stability, safety and effectiveness of vaccine formulations before moving to animal models and clinical trials. Vaccine formulations for in vivo studies strictly adhere to stringent guidelines and standards to ensure quality and safety.
As projects progress through the Vaccine Centers development pipeline, we closely collaborate with the Quality Control and Quality Assurance Units. We support Regulated Activities by preparing the necessary documentation and executing regulated protocols.
Highlighted projects:
- Chagas Vaccine Initiative
Main Goal: The overall goal of the project is to advance the first therapeutic Chagas disease vaccine prototype through a First-in-Human Phase 1 clinical trial. - SARS-CoV Vaccine Development
Advanced Immunotechnologies
Beyond formulation, our laboratory serves as a vaccine innovation hub for cutting-edge research and development across multiple domains to improve vaccines and immunotherapeutics.
Highlighted projects:
- Immunopeptidomics of Chagas disease
Main Goal: The discovery and analysis of immune-related peptides, elucidating their role in immune responses and aiding in vaccine design for Chagas disease. - Discovery and production of variant-specific Coronavirus mAbs
Main goal: Discovery and distribution of monoclonal antibodies for therapeutic, diagnostic, and research purposes. - RNA Vaccine Research
Main Goal: Pioneering RNA-based technologies, exploring their potential for vaccine development and therapeutic interventions.- Passive Immunization of Foals with mRNA-Abs against Rhodococcus equi (USDA)
- Develop and evaluate mRNA-vaccine to protect foals against Rhodococcus equi. (Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation)
- Leveraging intracellular protein trafficking to develop mRNA vaccines against hookworm and Schistosomiasis
- Cell-based Vaccine Evaluations
Main goal: Utilizing advanced in vitro assays and models to evaluate the potency and safety of pan coronavirus vaccine candidates, paving the way for impactful advancements in immunization strategies. - Delivery Technologies
Main goal: Evaluating innovative methods to formulate and deliver vaccines more effectively.
