The MRC research programme in The Gambia is in the process of reorganization into three new, interlinking, scientific themes: Child Survival, Disease Eradication and Vaccinology.The Vaccinology Theme has been the first to have a new leader appointed, Dr Beate Kampmann, from Imperial College London, UK. Dr Kampmann has already begun define the future strategy of the Vaccinology Theme in The Gambia, and an important step to set the process in motion was the organization of a meeting for all those undertaking and supporting Vaccinology research. As a relative outsider I felt very privileged to be invited to the Vaccinology Retreat, held at the MRC Fajara campus on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th December, 2010. The intention was to showcase ongoing and future work and facilities, to develop the vision of synergy between groups within the Theme and between Themes, and to identify opportunities and problems to be tackled in a coordinated manner.

The strength and breadth of the existing portfolio was immediately apparent from the programme, and the huge potential of The Unit to undertake Vaccinology research was highlighted in Dr Kampmann’s opening address. Each of the three principal investigators, Katie Flannagan, Martin Ota and Martin Antonio, outlined the main focus of their research projects and then we were treated to a series of 15 minute presentations from the members of each research group. It is very hard to summarise the research for a whole PhD or major project into just fifteen minutes, but this was successfully done, with time for questions as well. The standard of presentations was exceptional, and truly reflected the high quality and diversity of the science being performed. This also kept the audience on their toes as the topics rapidly shifted from studies of immunological mechanisms, to clinical trials, from pathogen ecology to the logistical planning that precedes major studies, and back to clinical research. However there was always a strong sense that the driving force behind the research was improving public health, particularly for The Gambia and the West African region.

Katie Flanagan’s infant immunology group outlined their ongoing work investigating immune responses to vaccination and infection in early childhood, how these shape the behavior of the immune system, and how we can begin unravel the complexity of interactions between vaccines, environment and health outcomes in order to design vaccine schedules that give the greatest impact on public health. Martin Ota’s group presented their work on understanding the burden of TB in the Gambia, the host immune responses to tuberculosis, and on trials of new vaccines against tuberculosis and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Leading on, Martin Antonio’s team demonstrated how vaccinologists need to know their enemies – by identifying the pathogens and monitoring changes in their ecology and behaviour in response to vaccine pressure. The presentations concluded with an overview of the newly consolidated laboratory structures by the research Platform Lab team. The participants then took forward important issues facing the Theme, such as finances and equipment, and attendees were split into groups for an interactive session to share their ideas for the “mission” of the Vaccinology theme in the next few years and how its successes could be measured. The answers reflected the breadth of the Vaccinology portfolio, but a consistent theme was that the research outcomes should translate to interventions of public health importance, relevant to The Gambia, the West African Region and the Global community. Measurement of the success of the Vaccinology Theme should go beyond scientific publications and grant income and include the impact of the research on Public Health policy, and ultimately on global Public Health, relevant to the West-African health needs. Dr Kampmann closed the meeting with an outline of the key goals for the next few years and thanked the PI’s and their teams for sharing the ongoing work with everyone.

Aside from the stimulating presentations and discussion, an added reward for attendees was the social event organized immediately after the Retreat. Ma Ansu Kinteh did a fabulous job in sorting out all the catering for the event and the entertainment! An all comers game of volley-ball was energetically contested, with the Theme leader and senior staff members demonstrating their sporting prowess. This was followed by dinner and entertainment from the Five Star Band (thanks to Katie Flanagan for finding them!), which got everyone dancing. The conversation suggested that the Retreat had been an enormous success and demonstrated the Vaccinology Theme was truly up and running.