The overall goals are to develop vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and Fc fusion proteins against N. gonorrhoeae. Trainees will assist with assays to evaluate the efficacy of antibodies against gonococci in vitro using serum bactericidal assays, ELISAs etc. Work will also involve designing vaccine antigens that will be tested for immunogenicity and efficacy.
The group also does basic research to understand why chlamydia infection enhances gonococcal bacterial loads and decreases efficacy of experimental gonococcal vaccines.