Evaluating the Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Curdlan-PLGA Nanoparticles Encapsulating Mycobacterium tuberculosis Antigens

VALIDATE Fellowship - October 2025 to October 2027

Led by:
Dr Zimvo Obasa; VALIDATE Associate; Stellenbosch University, South Africa

With:
Prof Admire Dube; VALIDATE Investigator; University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Dr Elena Stylianou; VALIDATE Associate; University of Oxford, UK
 

Project Aims

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious global health concern due to the lack of effective treatments and vaccines that work against all forms of the pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of TB. This highlights the urgent need for innovative strategies to create effective, safe and stable vaccines. Nanoparticle-based vaccines offer several advantages. They can be made to deliver several antigens directly to specific immune cells, provide a steady release of these antigens, and stimulate a lasting immune response and memory formation.

In this study, I will investigate the use of a special formulation of nanoparticles, called curdlan-PLGA nanoparticles, which will be loaded with Mtb antigens. The experiments will be carried out in a mouse model of TB. The mice will be immunised with these nanoparticles and then infected with Mtb. We expect to find that the nanoparticles will boost the immune response and reduce bacterial burden. These results could provide valuable insights into how these nanoparticles can serve as effective vaccine or antigen carriers and increase immunity against Mtb. This would help to improve safety, transform overall efficacy of TB vaccine strategies, and ultimately contribute to better global health outcomes.