The interplay between dengue virus and the human immune system
Eva Harris, Professor
Public Health; Div of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology
Check back for status
The four dengue virus serotypes (DENV1-4) cause the most important mosquito-borne viral disease of humans, with 100 million cases annually. The mechanisms by which the human immune response to DENV provides either protection against or enhancement of a subsequent infection with a different DENV serotype are not fully understood, and this has been a major concern in vaccine development and implementation. Dr. Harris’ team in Nicaragua has established the longest-standing dengue cohort study of 4000+ children, where participants contribute samples during acute infection and healthy samples on an annual basis. This allows tracking of dengue epidemics in the cohort population as well as DENV infections of individual cohort participants over time. Also the team has established a complementary hospital study to understand severe dengue.Our laboratory has been working towards identifying the role of antibodies and B cells in the clinical and virological outcomes of DENV infection. The aim of the ongoing studies is to identify correlates of protection and pathogenesis that could inform design of dengue vaccines or be utilized as prognostic markers. To that end, we are profiling antibody and B cell responses of cohort participants at several time points (e.g., acute vs. convalescent, primary vs. secondary infection, pre- vs post-infection) and employ enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), Luminex assays, IgM bead based depletions, multi fluorospot dengue B cell assays, flow cytometry, and antibody neutralization assays to understand antibody and B cell dynamics and protective qualities.
Role: The URAP student will work under the direct supervision of postdoctoral researchers Dr. Sandra Bos and/or Dr. Tulika Singh, in Dr. Eva Harris’ laboratory and be expected to work a minimum of 12-15 hours per week and commit to at least one year. For the project that is currently open, the student will work as part of the neutralizing antibody pipeline associated with different studies including human immune correlates of protection and sequential natural DENV infection projects, among others. Specifically, this will include focus forming assay staining, counting, data analysis, data interpretation, and visualization. This requires regular work on weekdays that may extend beyond after 5pm and occasional work on weekends or as arranged with the supervisor. Scientific skills will include study design, data analysis and interpretation, oral presentation, figure making, and summarizing scientific findings. The URAP student is also expected to attend weekly research meetings and maintain detailed records of the work performed. The student is expected to maintain open communication with other members of the research group and with the research coordinator, ask questions when help or guidance is needed, and actively ensure (through communicating with the research coordinator) that he/she is getting the experience expected from the URAP program.
Qualifications: The applicant should be a sophomore level or higher and have an interest in immunology, virology, global health, and/or cell biology. Other requirements are enthusiasm, high motivation, attention to detail, a passion for science, and a desire to develop independent thinking. The applicant should be willing to work as a part of a team; be a self-starter, organized and have a high degree of attention to detail; and be committed to the project for the academic year (plus one summer).
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Tulika Singh, Sandra Bos, Post-Doc
Hours: 12 or more hours
Biological & Health Sciences