Lecturer
Overview
I completed a Bachelor of Science with a dual major in Biochemistry and Chemistry followed by a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Chemistry from Massey University in New Zealand where my honors project focused on hydrogel development for the release of bioactive peptides into the gut. I completed a PhD at Massey University (New Zealand) investigating synthetic anti-cancer drugs based on the cyclic sugar, cyclodextran.
Following the completion of my doctoral studies, I worked as a Research Officer at the New Zealand Veterinary Pathology/Epicentre (Massey University) before relocating to the Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology at Kansas State University (USA) where I worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow on the detection and surveillance of zoonotic diseases for the swine industry.
Combining my knowledge of synthetic peptides with my passion for vaccine development research, I relocated to the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences (the University of Queensland, Australia) where my research now focuses on synthetic vaccine and adjuvant design strategies for infectious diseases, including group A Streptococcus, cancer and tropical diseases, including schistosomiasis.
Research Interests
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Group A Streptococcus glycoconjuagte vaccines
Carbohydrates are an abundant and structurally diverse biomolecule present on a cells surface, representing a unique feature and important recognition marker for the immune system. Identification of a highly conserved antigenic epitope of group A Streptococcus is an important challenge in the development of a universal group A Streptococcus vaccine. This project aims to build a new multi-component glycoconjugate vaccine for the delivery of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) antigens. -
Cyclic peptides as vaccine delivery platforms
Cyclic peptides represent useful scaffolds for the multivalent presentation of peptide epitopes to the immune system. Their constrained conformation allows presentation of structural elements in a well-defined orientation, improving resistance against proteolytic degradation. With this in mind, the project would involve a structure-activity study investigating the role of antigens attached to the cyclic ring. It would be expected that an immune response would change with different antigen attachment positions, making it an exciting project. -
Peptide delivery systems
Peptides as drugs may suffer from issues including an inability to reach their site of action, poor absorption, and degradation. Using chemical modification and characterisation we can improve the targeting, circulation time, stability, potency, etc of peptide-based therapeutics. -
Subunit Vaccine Development
Vaccination is one of the most effective public health strategies undertaken. Instead of using whole killed pathogens, next-generation vaccines use pathogen-derived peptides, allowing fine control when tailoring the vaccine. Group A Streptococcus vaccines are of particular significance to Australia with increasing incidences of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, which can be fatal. We focus on technologies that enable the site-specific incorporation of potent vaccine adjuvants into peptide and carbohydrate-based antigens, and the targeting of these vaccines to specific cell populations enhancing vaccine efficacy.
Research Impacts
My past research focused on the development of synthetic strategies for the synthesis of multi-functional peptide-sulfonamide drug candidates, followed by in vitro immunological assessment for applications in biomedical research. These experimental investigations revolved around novel solid phase peptide synthesis chemistry and chemical conjugation techniques, leading to cell-based immunological analysis of novel anti-cancer drug candidates.
Switching focus from Chemistry to Virology/Immunology, I used my Chemistry knowledge to develop and optimise protein-based multiplex diagnostic assays (Luminex and ELISA) for diseases affecting the swine industry (e.g. porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, bovine viral diarrhoea, African swine fever). As some of these diseases were absent from the USA, this collaborative effort ensured that imported meat and animals continued to be free from disease.
I have applied my research background towards an interdisciplinary approach at the School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences (University of Queensland), where my current educational research as a research-focused academic in Medicinal Chemistry revolves around the structure-immunological assessment of synthetic peptide-based subunit vaccines for the prevention and/or treatment of human diseases, including group A Streptococcus infection, Schistomisasis and cancer. This research aims to address the importance of synthetic immune-stimulants in subunit vaccine design, as well as improving the technological methods around multi-component vaccine development, supporting the growth of peptide-based vaccine development.
This research is carried out through multiple UQ collaborations and has been funded by the NHMRC (Australia) and more recently, Meat and Livestock Australia.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, Massey University
- Bachelor of Science (Honors), Massey University
- Doctor of Philosophy, Massey University
Publications
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Journal Article: Synthetic anti-cocaine nanoaccine successfully prevents cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion
Madge, Harrison Y. R., Alexander, Suzy, Azuar, Armira, Zhang, Jiahui, Koirala, Prashamsa, Burne, Thomas H., Toth, Istvan and Stephenson, Rachel J. (2023). Synthetic anti-cocaine nanoaccine successfully prevents cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 66 (17), 12407-12419. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00889
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Journal Article: Activity relationship of poly(ethylenimine)-based liposomes as group A Streptococcus vaccine delivery systems
Jin, Shengbin, Zhang, Jiahui, Nahar, Ummey J., Huang, Wenbin, Alharbi, Nedaa A., Shalash, Ahmed O., Koirala, Prashamsa, Yang, Jieru, Kiong, Jolynn J. E., Khalil, Zeinab G., Capon, Robert J., Stephenson, Rachel J., Skwarczynski, Mariusz, Toth, Istvan and Hussein, Waleed M. (2023). Activity relationship of poly(ethylenimine)-based liposomes as group A Streptococcus vaccine delivery systems. ACS Infectious Diseases, 9 (8), 1570-1581. doi: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00159
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Journal Article: Anti-cocaine Vaccine Development: Where Are We Now and Where Are We Going?
Stephenson, Rachel J. and Toth, Istvan (2023). Anti-cocaine Vaccine Development: Where Are We Now and Where Are We Going?. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 66 (11), 7086-7100. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00366
Grants
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A single-shot anti-fertility vaccine in female cattle
(2021–2025) Meat & Livestock Australia
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(2019–2023) NHMRC Project Grant
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Dr Rachel Stephenson - Maternity Funding (Advance Queensland Women's Academic Fund)
(2016–2017) Queensland Government Advance Queensland Women's Academic Fund
Supervision
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Nanovaccines against infectious diseases
Doctor Philosophy
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Development of Vaccine Delivery Systems for Peptide Antigens and Small Molecule Haptens
(2022) Doctor Philosophy
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Design and Synthesis of Self-adjuvanting and Pathogen-Selective Glycoconjugate Group A Streptococcus Vaccines
Doctor Philosophy
Available Projects
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Carbohydrate vaccines – a sweet solution in the fight against group A Streptococcus infection
Many glycoconjugates (sugars) have been identified and used for the increased targeted delivery of vaccines. Our lipid-peptide carrier systems have been shown to have self-adjuvant properties. This project aims to evaluate immunological responses by increased targeting towards dendritic and macrophage cells using glycoconjugates in the treatment of group A Streptococcus infection. Project aims: 1) the chemical synthesis of a series of dendritic delivery systems containing different glycoconjugates, 2) in vitro uptake studies, and 3) toxicology assessment.
-
Cyclic peptides - a link to advance subunit vaccine development
Cyclic peptides offer an attractive solution for presentation of short peptide antigens due to their stability and structurally constrained conformation. We identified that a cyclic deca-peptide plays a significant positive influence on the adjuvant activity of several lipid-antigen mixtures, leading to high immunological antibody titres and opsonisation of the model infection. Building on these exciting findings, this project aims to optimise the capacity of these cyclic delivery systems, leading to project skills in areas of peptide synthesis and analytical analysis, and in vitro and in vivo immunological assessment.
-
Novel adjuvants for peptide vaccines
Vaccination is one of the most effective public health strategies ever undertaken. Instead of whole killed pathogens, next generation vaccines use pathogen derived peptides, allowing fine control when tailoring the vaccine. This project aims to examine a new multi-component self-adjuvanting cyclic carrier system for the delivery of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) antigens. Here, novel nanoparticle vaccine systems will be synthesised where both adjuvant and particulate carrier are contained in a single molecular entity. Project aims: 1) chemical synthesis of lipoamino acid libraries and a series of delivery system-GAS conjugates with different rearrangements, 2) in vitro biological stability studies, 3) in vitro uptake studies, and 4) biological activity assessment.
Publications
Book
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Peptide Conjugation : Methods and Protocols
Hussein, Waleed M., Stephenson, Rachel J. and Toth, Istvan eds. (2021). Peptide Conjugation : Methods and Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, New York, NY United States: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1617-8
Book Chapter
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Bioconjugated materials in the development of subunit vaccines
Fan, Jingyi, Toth, Istvan and Stephenson, Rachel J. (2023). Bioconjugated materials in the development of subunit vaccines. Comprehensive analytical chemistry. (pp. *-*) Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/bs.coac.2023.02.005
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Nanocarrier-based vaccine delivery systems for synthetic peptide vaccines
Madge, Harrison Y.R., Stephenson, Rachel J. and Toth, Istvan (2021). Nanocarrier-based vaccine delivery systems for synthetic peptide vaccines. Handbook of nanotechnology applications: environment, energy, agriculture and medicine. (pp. 509-535) edited by Woei Jye Lau, Kajornsak Faungnawakij, Kuakoon Piyachomkwan and Uracha Rungsardthong Ruktanonchai. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-821506-7.00020-x
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Hussein, Waleed H., Stephenson, Rachel J. and Toth, Istvan (2021). Preface. Peptide conjugation: methods and protocols. (pp. v-v) New York, NY USA: Humana Press.
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Current boundaries in the formulation of lipid based delivery systems
Eskandari, Sharareh, Stephenson, Rachel and Toth, Istvan (2016). Current boundaries in the formulation of lipid based delivery systems. Liposomal delivery systems: advances and challenges. (pp. 160-174) edited by Abdus Samad, Sarwar Beg and Iram Nazish. London, United Kingdom: Future Medicine. doi: 10.4155/9781910419083
Journal Article
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Synthetic anti-cocaine nanoaccine successfully prevents cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion
Madge, Harrison Y. R., Alexander, Suzy, Azuar, Armira, Zhang, Jiahui, Koirala, Prashamsa, Burne, Thomas H., Toth, Istvan and Stephenson, Rachel J. (2023). Synthetic anti-cocaine nanoaccine successfully prevents cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 66 (17), 12407-12419. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00889
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Jin, Shengbin, Zhang, Jiahui, Nahar, Ummey J., Huang, Wenbin, Alharbi, Nedaa A., Shalash, Ahmed O., Koirala, Prashamsa, Yang, Jieru, Kiong, Jolynn J. E., Khalil, Zeinab G., Capon, Robert J., Stephenson, Rachel J., Skwarczynski, Mariusz, Toth, Istvan and Hussein, Waleed M. (2023). Activity relationship of poly(ethylenimine)-based liposomes as group A Streptococcus vaccine delivery systems. ACS Infectious Diseases, 9 (8), 1570-1581. doi: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00159
-
Anti-cocaine Vaccine Development: Where Are We Now and Where Are We Going?
Stephenson, Rachel J. and Toth, Istvan (2023). Anti-cocaine Vaccine Development: Where Are We Now and Where Are We Going?. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 66 (11), 7086-7100. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00366
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Firdaus, Farrhana Z., Bartlett, Stacey, Hussein, Waleed M., Lu, Lantian, Wright, Quentin, Huang, Wenbin, Nahar, Ummey J., Yang, Jieru, Khongkow, Mattaka, Veitch, Margaret, Koirala, Prashamsa, Ruktanonchai, Uracha R., Monteiro, Michael J., Gonzalez Cruz, Jazmina L., Stephenson, Rachel J., Wells, James W., Toth, Istvan and Skwarczynski, Mariusz (2023). Liposomal formulations of a polyleucine–antigen conjugate as therapeutic vaccines against cervical cancer. Pharmaceutics, 15 (2) 602, 1-15. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020602
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Advances in infectious disease vaccine adjuvants
Fan, Jingyi, Jin, Shengbin, Gilmartin, Lachlan, Toth, Istvan, Hussein, Waleed M. and Stephenson, Rachel J. (2022). Advances in infectious disease vaccine adjuvants. Vaccines, 10 (7) 1120, 1-62. doi: 10.3390/vaccines10071120
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Huang, Wenbin, Madge, Harrison Y. R., Zhang, Jiahui, Gilmartin, Lachlan, Hussein, Waleed M., Khalil, Zeinab G., Koirala, Prashamsa, Capon, Robert J., Toth, Istvan and Stephenson, Rachel J. (2022). Structure-activity relationship of lipid, cyclic peptide and antigen rearrangement of physically mixed vaccines. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 617 121614, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.121614
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Developing an effective glycan‐based vaccine for Streptococcus pyogenes
Mahmoud, Asmaa, Toth, Istvan and Stephenson, Rachel (2022). Developing an effective glycan‐based vaccine for Streptococcus pyogenes. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 61 (11) e202115342, 1-21. doi: 10.1002/anie.202115342
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Peptide-based nanovaccines in the treatment of cervical cancer: a review of recent advances
Zhang, Jiahui, Fan, Jingyi, Skwarczynski, Mariusz, Stephenson, Rachel J, Toth, Istvan and Hussein, Waleed M (2022). Peptide-based nanovaccines in the treatment of cervical cancer: a review of recent advances. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 17, 869-900. doi: 10.2147/ijn.s269986
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Developing an effective Glycan-based vaccine for Streptococcus Pyogenes
Mahmoud, Asmaa, Toth, Istvan and Stephenson, Rachel (2022). Developing an effective Glycan-based vaccine for Streptococcus Pyogenes. Angewandte Chemie, 134 (11). doi: 10.1002/ange.202115342
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Madge, Harrison Y. R., Huang, Wenbin, Gilmartin, Lachlan, Rigau-Planella, Berta, Hussein, Waleed M., Khalil, Zeinab G., Koirala, Prashamsa, Santiago, Viviene S., Capon, Robert J., Toth, Istvan and Stephenson, Rachel J. (2022). Physical mixture of a cyclic lipopeptide vaccine induced high titres of opsonic IgG antibodies against group A streptococcus. Biomaterials Science, 10 (1), 281-293. doi: 10.1039/d1bm01333e
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Dendrimers in vaccine delivery: recent progress and advances
Chowdhury, Silvia, Toth, Istvan and Stephenson, Rachel J. (2022). Dendrimers in vaccine delivery: recent progress and advances. Biomaterials, 280 121303, 121303. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121303
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Dai, Charles C., Huang, Wenbin, Yang, Jieru, Hussein, Waleed M., Wang, Jingwen, Khalil, Zeinab G., Capon, Robert J., Toth, Istvan and Stephenson, Rachel J. (2021). Polyethylenimine quantity and molecular weight influence its adjuvanting properties in liposomal peptide vaccines. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 40 127920, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.127920
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Khatun, Farjana, Dai, Charles C., Rivera-Hernandez, Tania, Hussein, Waleed M., Khalil, Zeinab G., Capon, Robert J., Toth, Istvan and Stephenson, Rachel J. (2021). Immunogenicity assessment of cell wall carbohydrates of Group A Streptococcus via self-adjuvanted glyco-lipopeptides. ACS Infectious Diseases, 7 (2) acsinfecdis.0c00722, 390-405. doi: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00722
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Dai, Charles C., Yang, Jieru, Hussein, Waleed M., Zhao, Lili, Wang, Xiumin, Khalil, Zeinab G., Capon, Robert J., Toth, Istvan and Stephenson, Rachel J. (2020). Polyethylenimine: an intranasal adjuvant for liposomal peptide-based subunit vaccine against Group A Streptococcus. ACS Infectious Diseases, 6 (9) acsinfecdis.0c00452, 2502-2512. doi: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00452
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Opsonic activity of conservative versus variable regions of the Group A Streptococcus M protein
Dai, Chuankai, Khalil, Zeinab G., Hussein, Waleed M., Yang, Jieru, Wang, Xiumin, Zhao, Lili, Capon, Robert J., Toth, Istvan and Stephenson, Rachel J. (2020). Opsonic activity of conservative versus variable regions of the Group A Streptococcus M protein. Vaccines, 8 (2) 210, 210. doi: 10.3390/vaccines8020210
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Madge, Harrison Y. R., Sharma, Hansa, Hussein, Waleed M., Khalil, Zeinab G., Capon, Robert John, Toth, Istvan and Stephenson, Rachel (2020). Structure–activity analysis of cyclic multicomponent lipopeptide self-adjuvanting vaccine candidates presenting Group A Streptococcus antigens. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 63 (10) acs.jmedchem.0c00203, 5387-5397. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00203
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Immunology of carbohydrate-based vaccines
Khatun, Farjana, Toth, Istvan and Stephenson, Rachel J. (2020). Immunology of carbohydrate-based vaccines. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 165-166, 117-126. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.04.006
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Dai, Chuankai, Stephenson, Rachel J., Skwarczynski, Mariusz and Toth, Istvan (2020). Application of Fmoc-SPPS, thiol-maleimide conjugation, and copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition "click" reaction in the synthesis of a complex peptide-based vaccine candidate against Group A Streptococcus. Methods in Molecular Biology, 2103, 13-27. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0227-0_2
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Eskandari, Sharareh, Pattinson, David, Stephenson, Rachel J., Groves, Penny L., Apte, Simon H., Sedaghat, Bita, Chandurudu, Saranya, Doolan, Denise L. and Toth, Istvan (2018). The influence of physicochemical properties of lipopeptide adjuvants on immune response: a rationale for engineering a potent vaccine. Chemistry: A European Journal, 24 (39), 9892-9902. doi: 10.1002/chem.201801378
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Eskandari, Sharareh, Guerin, Thalia, Toth, Istvan and Stephenson, Rachel J. (2017). Recent advances in self-assembled peptides: Implications for targeted drug delivery and vaccine engineering. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 110, 169-187. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2016.06.013
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Khatun, Farjana, Stephenson, Rachel J. and Toth, Istvan (2017). An overview of structural features of antibacterial glycoconjugate vaccines that influence their immunogenicity. Chemistry - A European Journal, 23 (18), 4233-4254. doi: 10.1002/chem.201603599
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Editorial: recent advances in drug delivery technology
Stephenson, Rachel (2016). Editorial: recent advances in drug delivery technology. Drug Delivery Letters, 6 (1), 2-2. doi: 10.2174/2210303106666160506165137
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Identification of host insulin binding sites on Schistosoma japonicum insulin receptors
Stephenson, Rachel J., Toth, Istvan, Liang, Jiening, Mangat, Amanjot, McManus, Donald P. and You, Hong (2016). Identification of host insulin binding sites on Schistosoma japonicum insulin receptors. PLoS One, 11 (7) e0159704, e0159704. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159704
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Synthesis of mannosylated lipopeptides with receptor targeting properties
Sedaghat, Bita, Stephenson, Rachel J., Giddam, Ashwini Kumar, Eskandari, Sharareh, Apte, Simon H., Pattinson, David J., Doolan, Denise L. and Toth, Istvan (2016). Synthesis of mannosylated lipopeptides with receptor targeting properties. Bioconjugate Chemistry, 27 (3), 533-548. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.5b00547
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Apte, Simon H., Stephenson, Rachel J., Simerska, Pavla, Groves, Penny L., Aljohani, Salwa, Eskandari, Sharareh, Toth, Istvan and Doolan, Denise L. (2016). Systematic evaluation of self-adjuvanting lipopeptide nano-vaccine platforms for the induction of potent CD8+ T-cell responses. Nanomedicine, 11 (2), 137-152. doi: 10.2217/nnm.15.184
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Eskandari, Sharareh, Stephenson, Rachel J., Fuaad, Abdullah Ahmad, Apte, Simon H., Doolan, Denise L. and Toth, Istvan (2015). Synthesis and characterisation of self-assembled and self-adjuvanting asymmetric multi-epitope lipopeptides of ovalbumin. Chemistry - A European Journal, 21 (3), 1251-1261. doi: 10.1002/chem.201404997
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Synthesis and characterization of Bradykinin derivatives based on a β-cyclodextrin core
Stephenson, Rachel J., Wolber, Fran, Plieger, Paul G. and Harding, David R. K. (2015). Synthesis and characterization of Bradykinin derivatives based on a β-cyclodextrin core. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 69 (3), 328-335. doi: 10.1071/CH15460
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Eskandari, Sharareh, Stephenson, Rachel J., Fuaad, Abdullah Ahmad, Apte, Simon H., Doolan, Denise L. and Toth, Istvan (2015). Synthesis and characterisation of self-assembled and self-adjuvanting asymmetric multi-epitope lipopeptides of ovalbumin. Chemistry: A European Journal, 21 (3), 1251-1261. doi: 10.1002/chem.201404997
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Multiplex serology for common viral infections in feral pigs in Hawaii between 2007 and 2010
Stephenson, Rachel J., Trible, Benjamin R., Wang, Yu, Kerrigan, Maureen A., Goldstein, Samuel M. and Rowland, Raymond R. R. (2015). Multiplex serology for common viral infections in feral pigs in Hawaii between 2007 and 2010. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 51 (1), 239-243. doi: 10.7589/2013-09-242
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Targeting the mannose receptor with mannosylated subunit vaccines
Sedaghat, B., Stephenson, R. and Toth, I. (2014). Targeting the mannose receptor with mannosylated subunit vaccines. Current Medicinal Chemistry, 21 (30), 3405-3418. doi: 10.2174/0929867321666140826115552
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Schistosome vaccine adjuvants in preclinical and clinical research
Stephenson, Rachel, You, Hong, McManus, Donald P. and Toth, Istvan (2014). Schistosome vaccine adjuvants in preclinical and clinical research. Vaccines, 2 (3), 654-685. doi: 10.3390/vaccines2030654
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Stephenson, Rachel, Varamini, Pegah, Butcher, Neville, Minchin, Rodney and Toth, Istvan (2014). Effect of lipidated gonadotropin-releasing hormone peptides on receptor mediated binding and uptake into prostate cancer cells in vitro. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine, 10 (8), 1799-1808. doi: 10.1016/j.nano.2014.06.015
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You, Hong, Stephenson, Rachel J., Gobert, Geoffrey N. and McManus, Donald P. (2014). Revisiting glucose uptake and metabolism in schistosomes: new molecular insights for improved schistosomiasis therapies. Frontiers in Genetics, 5 (JUN) 176, 176. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00176
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Improved Fmoc Synthesis of Bradykinin
Stephenson, Rachel J., Plieger, Paul G. and Harding, David R. K. (2011). Improved Fmoc Synthesis of Bradykinin. Protein and Peptide Letters, 18 (9), 952-955. doi: 10.2174/092986611796011509
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White, Rachel J., Plieger, Paul G. and Harding, David R. K. (2010). Synthesis of bifunctional peptide derivatives based on a beta-cyclodextrin core with drug delivery potential. Tetrahedron Letters, 51 (5), 800-803. doi: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2009.11.118
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Williams, B, Brooks, AN, Aldridge, TC, Pennie, WD, Stephenson, R and McArdle, CA (2000). Oestradiol is a potent mitogen and modulator of GnRH signalling in alpha T3-1 cells: are these effects causally related?. Journal of Endocrinology, 164 (1), 31-43. doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1640031
Grants (Administered at UQ)
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A single-shot anti-fertility vaccine in female cattle
(2021–2025) Meat & Livestock Australia
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(2019–2023) NHMRC Project Grant
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Dr Rachel Stephenson - Maternity Funding (Advance Queensland Women's Academic Fund)
(2016–2017) Queensland Government Advance Queensland Women's Academic Fund
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Nanovaccines against Rheumatic Heart Disease
(2016–2017) HeartKids Limited
PhD and MPhil Supervision
Current Supervision
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Nanovaccines against infectious diseases
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
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Design and Synthesis of Self-adjuvanting and Pathogen-Selective Glycoconjugate Group A Streptococcus Vaccines
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
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Novel Vaccine Designs of Adjuvants and Delivery Systems against Infectious Diseases
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Completed Supervision
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Development of Vaccine Delivery Systems for Peptide Antigens and Small Molecule Haptens
(2022) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
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Novel Nanovaccines against Rheumatic Heart Disease
(2021) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
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Development of Glyco-lipopeptide Vaccines against Group A Streptococcus
(2018) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
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Mannosylated lipopetides as model vaccines for targeting the mannose receptor
(2016) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
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(2016) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Possible Research Projects
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
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Carbohydrate vaccines – a sweet solution in the fight against group A Streptococcus infection
Many glycoconjugates (sugars) have been identified and used for the increased targeted delivery of vaccines. Our lipid-peptide carrier systems have been shown to have self-adjuvant properties. This project aims to evaluate immunological responses by increased targeting towards dendritic and macrophage cells using glycoconjugates in the treatment of group A Streptococcus infection. Project aims: 1) the chemical synthesis of a series of dendritic delivery systems containing different glycoconjugates, 2) in vitro uptake studies, and 3) toxicology assessment.
-
Cyclic peptides - a link to advance subunit vaccine development
Cyclic peptides offer an attractive solution for presentation of short peptide antigens due to their stability and structurally constrained conformation. We identified that a cyclic deca-peptide plays a significant positive influence on the adjuvant activity of several lipid-antigen mixtures, leading to high immunological antibody titres and opsonisation of the model infection. Building on these exciting findings, this project aims to optimise the capacity of these cyclic delivery systems, leading to project skills in areas of peptide synthesis and analytical analysis, and in vitro and in vivo immunological assessment.
-
Novel adjuvants for peptide vaccines
Vaccination is one of the most effective public health strategies ever undertaken. Instead of whole killed pathogens, next generation vaccines use pathogen derived peptides, allowing fine control when tailoring the vaccine. This project aims to examine a new multi-component self-adjuvanting cyclic carrier system for the delivery of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) antigens. Here, novel nanoparticle vaccine systems will be synthesised where both adjuvant and particulate carrier are contained in a single molecular entity. Project aims: 1) chemical synthesis of lipoamino acid libraries and a series of delivery system-GAS conjugates with different rearrangements, 2) in vitro biological stability studies, 3) in vitro uptake studies, and 4) biological activity assessment.
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A physicochemical evaluation of an asymmetric delivery system for GAS vaccine design
Immune-stimulant (adjuvant) development is an important area of vaccine research. This exciting project aims to investigate particle characteristics and immunogenicity for a library of lipopeptide vaccine constructs containing an asymmetric arrangement of the Group A Streptococcus (GAS) epitopes. Lipoaminoacids (lipid) are investigated for particle rearrangement properties following self-assembly. Project aims: 1) chemical synthesis of an asymmetric GAS vaccine library and 2) physiochemical characterisation, 3) in vitro uptake studies, and 4) toxicology assessment.
