A Systems Vaccinology Study Between Humans and Animal Models for Translational Medicine

• Grant number: 25/01063-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Applied Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Gustavo Cabral de Miranda
• Grantee: Wasim Aluísio Prates Syed
• Supervisor: Thomas Hagan
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/08468-8 - Development of VLPs-based vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and other human Coronaviruses, BP.DD

Abstract

Vaccines have revolutionized modern medicine by protecting individuals through immune responses. However, differences in immune mechanisms across species, particularly between humans and animal models, pose challenges in translating preclinical findings to human applications. Using RNAseq and microarray data from different studies, this project aims to analyze the bridge in vaccine-induced gene expression patterns between humans and mice. Utilizing the COVID-19 Vaccination Atlas and the 13 Vaccines Atlas, we aim to identify conserved and species-specific immune pathways through differential expression analysis, meta-analysis, and machine learning modeling to translate interspecies immune responses. We expect to uncover biomarkers for vaccine efficacy, highlight the translational limitations of mouse models, and inform the design of next-generation vaccines. Results will be integrated into an interactive platform for comparative analysis, offering insights into immune mechanisms in vaccination and guiding vaccine development for diverse populations.