Current projects

Here is an outline of the research projects currently being funded at top research institutions across the UK by Meningitis UK. The total value of the charity's current research programme is £1,143,052.

Development of a novel multivalent Group B meningococcal vaccine based on adenovirus vectors

Dr. Christine Rollier, University of Oxford

Experts in meningitis B research have identified bacterial proteins that cause the body to produce antibodies able to stop infection. Dr Rollier's team have developed new ways of delivering these proteins to the immune system: by inserting them into a genetically modified adenovirus. Recent clinical trials have shown that this virus induces production of higher quality antibodies but can't cause infection. This is very effective at triggering an immune response as the immune system is tricked into thinking it is fighting a real infection when it is actually facing a harmless vaccine.

The study will investigate the immune responses induced by these new vaccines and compare their effectiveness used alone or mixed with other types of Meningitis B vaccines to identify the best potential vaccine. This innovative approach to vaccine design could have a far-reaching impact and, ultimately, lead to the creation of a lifesaving vaccine for meningitis B.

Adenovirus

Identification of meningococcal antigens associated with development of cross-reactive immunity following colonisation and infection

Prof. John Heckels, University of Southampton

Professor John Heckels and his team at the University of Southampton are fortunate enough to have rare blood samples taken from individuals ‘before and after' they become carriers of the meningitis bacteria. They plan to compare these to identify the antigens which trigger the successful production of antibodies, which in most people provide immunity when exposed to the Meningitis B bacteria. This will provide information about which fragment of the meningococcal bacteria could be used in a vaccine to protect against Meningitis B in the future. Read a project update from March 2010.

Research Assistant Jenny Williams, Prof. John Heckels and Dr Myron Christodoulides

Vaccine potential of meningococcal secreted proteins

Dr Karl Wooldridge, The University of Nottingham

Meanwhile, at the University of Nottingham, Dr Karl Wooldridge will use microbiology methods to discover more about a tiny protein secreted by the Meningitis B bug which collects on its surface and is accessible to antibodies. Dr Wooldridge and his team have already proved through previous studies that these proteins not only provide immunity against the infecting strain, but also against other strains.

Their experience of vaccine candidates based on single proteins shows that no single antigen is likely to protect against all strains of Meningitis B, so they expect future vaccines to consist of several proteins which, between them, will generate cross-protective immunity against all strains. The main objective of their research is to assess the potential of secreted proteins as components of future multi-component vaccines.

Dr Karl Wooldridge in the laboratory

Microserological determination of N. lactamica induced cross-protective meningococcal immunity

Dr Nigel Saunders, University of Oxford

Dr Richard Capper, Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Dr Ray Owens, Collaborator and Head of the Oxford Protein Production Facility, and Dr Nigel Saunders, Lead Investigator

Finally, we are delighted to be working with another team at the University of Oxford, where Dr Nigel Saunders will utilise cutting-edge technology. With previously available sampling methods, the concentrations of antibodies were too low to be measured but Dr Saunders and his team have developed a new method which is up to 10,000 times more sensitive and will therefore measure the antibodies. The research team plan to use this to investigate blood samples from current clinical trials delving deeper into them than was previously possible, and hopefully discovering new proteins which were previously too small to detect.

Dr Richard Capper working with one of the two highly-sensitive protein array printers

A protein vaccine against serogroup B meningococcal disease: from proof in principle to phase I clinical trials

Prof Andrew Pollard, University of Oxford

Andrew Pollard, Senior Lecturer in Infectious Diseases & Honorary Consultant Paediatrician at the University of Oxford

After the great success of their previous study into the development of a Meningitis B vaccine funded by Meningitis UK, which produced some very promising results, we are delighted that we will be continuing to fund Prof Pollard and his colleagues so that they are able to advance their research.

Working with Professor Maiden from the University of Oxford, Professor Feavers at the National Institute of Biological Standards and Control, and Dr Derrick from the University of Manchester, Prof Pollard will be embarking on a further two year project in June 2007. The aim of the project is to find a suitable vaccine to protect against the most prevalent strain of meningococcal bacteria currently in the UK - Meningitis B.

During their previous investigation, Prof Pollard and his co-workers identified an outer-membrane protein which has limited variability within the families of meningococcal group B bacterium, suggesting that it might be a good vaccine candidate.

The proteins manufactured were able to stimulate the production of antibodies which kill group B meningococcal bacteria, which is a significant breakthrough, as other vaccine candidates have been unable to do this.

During this further two year project, the research team aim to evaluate the suitability of this protein in creating a vaccine, and to address vital questions about how these proteins affect our immune cells. This information will address important questions that need to be answered before starting phase 1 clinical trials.

Prof Pollard said: "We have now come to some very exciting and positive outcomes and can see real progress being made. The data so far from our research and pre-clinical studies has been incredibly positive and already shown it to be a promising candidate for a vaccine which is a major breakthrough.

It means that human trials could take place in around three years. If all the testing goes well in these early trials in adults, it would still take some years to complete large scale studies in children to show that the vaccine could be used."

Human immune response to experimental colonisation with Neisseria lactamica at University of Sheffield.

Professor Robert Read, University of Sheffield

Professor Robert Read

Professor Robert Read and his team are looking at how harmless bacteria which live in the noses and throats of babies and young children might help the immune system to develop antibodies to protect against Meningitis B.

At any one time, the majority of the population is naturally immune to the meningitis-causing bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, with one in 10 of us having it living harmlessly in our noses and throats. This natural immunity is thought to be thanks to a harmless relative of Neisseria meningitidis, Neisseria lactamica which also colonise in people's noses and throats.

Cariad Evans, Clinical Research Fellow in the laboratory

Previous studies suggest that a high prevalence of Neisseria lactamica is associated with a low incidence of meningococcal disease.

Professor Read's team are going to inoculate Neisseria lactamica into the noses of healthy adults and then measure their immune response.

Although Professor Read thinks Neisseria lactamica is unlikely to be a vaccine candidate on its own, he and his team are confident that what they learn about how it stimulates the body's immune response will be invaluable in the search for a successful vaccine.

The Neisseria lactamica bacteria, which is a harmless relative of the meningitis-causing Neisseria meningitidis bacteria

Mechanisms of mucosal immunity to systemic immunisation with a meningococcal serogroup B outer membrane vesicle vaccine at University of Bristol

Professor Robert Heyderman, University of Bristol

Professor Heyderman and his team are studying people's natural immunity to meningitis-causing bacteria. They hope that by understanding this, they will then be able to mimic the body's natural response to make a successful vaccine against Meningitis B.

The success of existing meningitis vaccines, for example the one which protects against Meningitis C, is in part due to their ability to produce ‘herd immunity', so even people who have not received the vaccine are protected because carriage rates of the bacteria are reduced across the whole population.

Professor Heyderman's team believe that a successful Meningitis B vaccine not only needs to stop the harmful bacteria invading the body but also needs to reduce the carriage rates of the bacteria which normally live harmlessly in our noses and throats.

Professor Heyderman and his team will be looking specifically at mucosal immunity as it is this naturally acquired immunity which is believed to reduce carriage rates by preventing the bacteria from living in people's noses and throats. Through this research they hope to develop a vaccine which not only protects individuals from Meningitis B - but whole communities.

Professor Robert Heyderman with his co-researcher Professor Neil Williams, with other staff at the laboratories

We hope that the results of these exciting research projects will take us a significant step closer to the vaccine which is so desperately needed and which we are all striving towards.