Blood and nasal biomarkers of Cat-SPIRE Efficacy

The Cat-SPIRE vaccine reduces symptoms in those who suffer from cat allergy. Two interns will work on complementary projects that will evaluate blood and nasal biomarkers of Cat-SPIRE efficacy. One trainee will examine changes to the DNA in special immune cells called dendritic cells, isolated from blood. The other trainee will examine markers of inflammation in the nose. The data generated by the interns will be valuable to the company, as we expect they will demonstrate that immunological and nasal biomarkers change in response to Cat-SPIRE and correlate with the reduced symptoms that this product provides. In addition, it will be evaluated if any of these biomarkers can predict which patients may be the best candidates for treatment (prognostic biomarkers of a favourable treatment response).

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Anne Ellis

Student:

Michelle North/Mena Soliman

Partner:

Adiga Life Science Inc.

Discipline:

Biology

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

Queen's University