On 18th November the BBSRC Veterinary Vaccinology Network co- hosted an Antigen Discovery and Proteomics of the Host immune Response workshop with Professor Rob Beynon at the University of Liverpool. The workshop was attended by 24 delegates from a variety of organizations around the UK. This workshop was held after suggestions made at the UK Veterinary Vaccinology Network Conference 2015.
The aim of this workshop was to provide attendees with an understanding of what current research and techniques are being used for Antigen Discovery and Proteomics of the host immune response. This included presentations from Dr Alasdair Nisbet, The Moredun Institute, Professor Julian Hiscox, University of Liverpool and Dr David Matthews, University of Bristol.
Dr Alasdair Nisbet introduced the subject by discussing parasite vaccine antigen discovery – rational, pragmatic and common-ground approaches. This included research on Poultry Red Mite Vaccine Development as a pragmatic approach to vaccine discovery followed by a rational approach developing a vaccine to Teladorsagia circumcincta.
Professor Julian Hiscox discussed high resolution approaches in the recent Ebola outbreaks, analyzing protein abundances of Ebola and their interaction with the host as part of the European Horizon 2020 EVIDENT Program. Using techniques such as Mi-Seq to analyse genetic changes of the Ebola virus over time, Results also highlighted the underreporting of Malaria in the region.
Dr David Matthews presented on tools used in proteome analysis, including deep sequencing of the transcriptome to refine the proteome. Here, Matthews discussed SILAC approach using Adenovirus as a model as well as the cloud-based system Galaxy which enables integration of omics data.
The workshop also included a tour of the centre for proteomic research and centre for genomic research at the University of Liverpool. The centre for Proteome research was established by Professor Rob Beynon in 2000. The facility operates 14 mass spectrometry platforms that support a wide range of techniques. The Centre is run under the University of Liverpool’s Technology Directorate and it’s specialized staff also offer full consultancy and support in the use of the techniques available at the centre to ensure the best quality data is gained from such equipment. The tour provided a brief overview of how these machines used in proteomics and genomics could be applied to different research areas.
The workshop concluded with a Dragon’s Den session awarding a prize to complete a proteomics study that will be conducted at the centre for proteome research in Liverpool. Participants had 5 minutes to present their research idea for using the CenTre of Proteome research to a panel of judges after which a 5 minutes Q&A session was instigated.
The candidates were asked to describe the question they wish to pursue, the hypothesis, study design and the type of proteomic analysis they wish to conduct.
The winner was Cosmin Chintoan- Uta from The Roslin Institute, who will use the Centre for Proteome Research to carry out research on Histomonas in Turkeys and Chickens, analysing the outermembrane for surface targets and therefore identify prime candidates for vaccine development.