Global Grand Challenges
  • Grant Opportunities
  • Challenges
  • Awards
  • Champions
  • Partnerships
  • News
  • About

Empty Poliovirus Capsids as Candidate Vaccines

Ian Jones of the University of Reading in the United Kingdom will investigate new methods to produce empty poliovirus capsids. These are virus-like particles that stimulate the same immunity as poliovirus itself but are completely non-infectious. A successful technology could offer cost and safety benefits leading to the replacement of traditional polio vaccines. In Phase I, he provided proof-of-concept for efficient assembly of empty viral capsids in vitro by testing different approaches to reduce the activity of the 3C enzyme, which has been associated with toxicity. In Phase II, he will scale-up viral capsid production, provide a complete biochemical and biophysical analysis of the capsids, and evaluate factors to promote stability, which is required for a usable vaccine. He will also test the ability of their empty viral capsids to initiate a protective immune response by immunizing small animal models.

More information about The Poliovirus Endgame: Create ways to Accelerate, Sustain and Monitor Eradication (Round 6)

Great ideas come from everywhere.

Sign up for email updates of the latest grant opportunities and awards.

View the Grand Challenges partnership network

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is part of the Grand Challenges partnership network. Visit www.grandchallenges.org to view the map of awarded grants across this network and grant opportunities from partners.