Characterisation of adenovirus vector vaccine particles for improved antigen delivery.

The Pandemic Sciences Institute (PSI) at the University of Oxford, was established in 2021 as a multi-disciplinary, University-wide initiative focused on finding solutions to counteract future pandemic threats through science, innovation and building systems of global preparedness. The research group of Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert

utilises Adenovirus vector platform technology to develop vaccines against emerging pathogens that have been identified as such threats. In addition to developing new vaccines, Prof. Gilbert's group also focuses on improving vaccine manufacturing, developing novel delivery mechanisms for these vaccines and understanding

the interactions of vaccine vectors with host cells. These additional goals are the major focus of this PhD project. The project aims to study the physical characteristics of adenovirus vector virus particles and virus particle/cellular interactions to improve the collective understanding of the molecular pathways involved in

vector production and utilise this information to improve the scale-up and production of adenoviral vectors for vaccination and therapeutic applications. It is hoped that this work can lead to the development of more easily manufactured, cost-effective and immunogenic vaccines in the future, vital for the Institute's goal of developing

interventions that can be accessed globally and equitably.