Professor Kenneth Beagley

Biography

Research theme: Health

Research discipline:
Cell  and Molecular Biosciences

Research areas:

Development of vaccines to prevent chlamydial  infections
Traditional vaccine approaches have been unsuccessful in  preventing chlamydial infections. We have used novel DNA vaccination and  bioinformatics approaches to identify protective chlamydial antigens  that are conserved across several chlamydial species. Using combinations  of these antigens we can reduce both the duration and magnitude of  infection and reduce infection-associated inflammation that is the cause  of infertility in animal models of chlamydial infection.

Development of needle-free immunisation methods
Novel approaches  to vaccination including topical application to skin (transcutaneous  immunisation), intranasal immunisation using drops or sprays and  sublingual immunisation where vaccines are applied to the buccal  epithelium are being investigated as an alternative to the traditional  needle-based vaccines. In animal models these approaches can protect  against Chlamydia and Helicobacter infections.

Affect of chronic chlamydial infections on inflammation and immunity
Chlamydia  not only infects epithelial cells but can also infect immune cells such  as dendritic cells and macrophages. Infection of these immune cells  alters their function in a way that not only allows the Chlamydia to  persist in the host but also increases the pro-inflammatory immune  responses that cause conditions such as asthma.