London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Scientists from the Unit’s vaccine research and viral pathogens research themes joined the rest of the world to commemorate the international science week in November, at a week-long science fair organised by the Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretariat at the Office of the President (STI-OP) in Uganda. The teams were led by Assistant Professor Sheila Balinda, head of the Unit's vaccines for viruses group and lead scientist on the novel adenovector COVID-19 vaccine study and Associate Professor Jennifer Sserwanga, a cellular immunologist and lead scientist on the innovative inactivated COVID-19 vaccine at the Unit.

Mixed groups comprising of early to senior level scientists working on contemporary virology and vaccines studies at the Unit presented insightful findings from key on-going and concluded work to an audience of over 200 participants. These included high-level policy makers from Uganda, Africa and worldwide, key players in the research sector, academia, civil society and the private sector, among other key publics. The key studies highlighted the generation of the adenovector backbone, the relevance of this backbone to the Ugandan population and the future trajectory of the vaccine.

Using posters, Christian Ndekezi, a lab technician in the vaccines for viruses research group delivered a presentation on the virology and cloning processes involved in generating the adenovector backbone, emphasizing its relevance to the Ugandan population. Denis Omara, scientist and PhD research fellow in the vaccine research theme then presented preliminary findings from safety and immunogenicity studies of the vaccines using this platform. Subsequently, Fortunate Natwijuka, a PhD student and lab technician at the Unit presented plans for generating multivalent vaccines through this platform. The future of the vaccine, including data on immune responses and its efficacy against the Omicron and Delta variants, was elucidated by early and midcareer scientists from the Viral Pathogens research theme like Claire Baine, Joseph S Katende, Deborah Mukisa, Jackson Sembera, Cosmos Openja, and Hellen Natambi while using posters to explain the production, purification, formulation phases, and the pre-clinical pilot of the vaccine.

While touring the Unit’s display of the above, H.E Yoweri Kagutta Museveni, the President of the republic of Uganda commended the scientists for their efforts in COVID-19 initiatives and acknowledged their work on the HIV-1 vaccine. He was accompanied by First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports, Hon. Janet K Museveni, Minister of Finance, Planning and Social Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija, and Minister for Science and Technology, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero.

The Unit is committed to conducting high-quality research that adds knowledge and leads to improved control of infectious and non-communicable diseases in Uganda, Africa and globally, through translation of scientific findings into policy and practice, and rigorous research capacity building.

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