Site Name: Italy - Siena
Posted Date: Dec 16 2024
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major global cause of neonatal meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia, with an estimated 91,000 infant deaths per year and an additional 46,000 stillbirths. GBS infection in pregnancy is also associated with adverse maternal outcomes and preterm births. As such, the World Health Organization (WHO) prioritized the development of a GBS vaccine suitable for use in pregnant women and use in LMICs, where the burden of disease is highest. Current GBS vaccine candidates are either classical polysaccharide-conjugate vaccines or protein vaccines. Polysaccharide conjugates induce a suboptimal immune response in non primed women; however, they have a higher probability of success for the development of a correlate of protection. We propose to use Multiple Antigen Presenting System (MAPS) as an alternative technology that could combine advantages of polysaccharide-based vaccines, allowing also incorporation of pathogen-specific proteins.
The selected post-doc is expected to generate different MAPS by evaluating the most appropriate chemistry for all GBS polysaccharides to be included in the vaccine. She/he will characterize them, evaluate their purity, initial stability, and test them in animal models, comparing them with already available glycoconjugates.
Basic Qualifications & Skills: PhD qualification in chemistry or pharmaceutical chemistry and technology Experience in bacterial polysaccharide and glycoconjugate purification techniques like tangential flow filtration and chromatography (HIC, IEX, SEC) Experience in analysis and characterization of polysaccharides and glycoconjugates, using techniques like HPLC, HPAEC-PAD, NMR, and UV-VIS colorimetric methods Good level of spoken, conversational and written English Preferred Qualifications & Skills: Experience with polysaccharide chemical derivatization Experience with polysaccharide conjugation chemistry Innovative thinking, able to identify links between different components of a problem or situation related to own work Clear and effective communication skills, oral and writing. Ability to present scientific data Experience with immunoassays and molecular biology (as a plus) Why GSK? Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organization where people can thrive. We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/immunology, and oncology).
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