Production and evaluation of antigens from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Dengue virus as tools in diagnostics and for vaccine development.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Dengue infections are two important emerging diseases in Latin-American countries, including Cuba. Through joined research efforts, we aim to generate significant progress with as final result the development of efficient and affordable diagnostic tools for both diseases. To achieve this goal, we will select target antigens of both infectious agents. For TB, it is important to discriminate between TB-infected and BCG-vaccinated individuals. The selected antigens will be produced by means of secretory protein production in Streptomyces lividans at lab scale in first instance. Upon a good evaluation, antigen production will be done at medium scale. Using those antigens, ELISA-based tests will be developed. In addition, the value of target antigens for vaccine development will be assessed.

Keywords:vaccins, Diagnostics, Dengue virus, Mycobacterium, heterologous protein production, Streptomyces

Disciplines:Microbiology, Systems biology, Laboratory medicine, Biomaterials engineering, Biological system engineering, Biomechanical engineering, Other (bio)medical engineering, Environmental engineering and biotechnology, Industrial biotechnology, Other biotechnology, bio-engineering and biosystem engineering