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Conference Agenda

Overview and details of the sessions of this conference. Please select a date or location to show only sessions at that day or location. Please select a single session for detailed view (with abstracts and downloads if available).

Daily Overview

Session

CP9.2: Vaccines 5 min talks sponsored by Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, Griffith University
Location: Lecture Theatre 2
Session Chair: Danielle Stanisic, Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, Griffith University
Session Chair: Anouschka Akerman, The University of Queensland

Presentation 1

Enhancing antigen density on nanoparticle platforms to enable multi-stage malaria vaccines

Anne Nguyen¹, Jaanaky Vigneswaran¹, Daniel Luque^1,2, Michael Johnson¹, Jake Baum¹

1: School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales; 2: Electron Microscopy Unit , University of New South Wales

Malaria remains a major global health challenge, with substantial morbidity and mortality despite ongoing control efforts. Current vaccines targeting the pre-erythrocytic stage provide only partial and waning protection, highlighting the need for improved strategies. One promising approach is the development of multi-stage vaccines that target different stages of the parasite lifecycle to enhance overall efficacy and durability. Virus-like particles (VLPs) provide an attractive platform for vaccine design due to their ability to present antigens in a highly repetitive and ordered manner, thereby promoting robust immune responses. Increasing evidence suggests that the density of antigens on nanoparticle platforms plays a critical role in shaping immunogenicity. In this study, we explored engineering approaches to optimise antigen display on VLPs and systematically modulate antigen density. We demonstrate that engineered VLPs can maintain structural integrity while accommodating varying levels of antigen presentation. Importantly, increasing antigen density was associated with enhanced antibody responses, supporting the concept that antigen valency is a key determinant of immunogenicity. These findings provide a foundation for the rational design of next-generation nanoparticle vaccines including multi-stage/multi-antigen designs that are currently in progress in our lab.