Rational design of HIV vaccine and microbicides: report of the EUROPRISE annual conference

Abstract

EUROPRISE is a Network of Excellence sponsored from 2007 to 2011 by the European Commission within the 6th Framework Program. The Network encompasses a wide portfolio of activities ranging from an integrated research program in the field of HIV vaccines and microbicides to training, dissemination and advocacy. The research program covers the whole pipeline of vaccine and microbicide development from discovery to early clinical trials. The Network is composed of 58 partners representing more than 65 institutions from 13 European countries; it also includes three major pharmaceutical companies (GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis and Sanofi-Pasteur) involved in HIV microbicide and vaccine research. The Network displays a dedicated and informative web page: http://www.europrise.org. Finally, a distinguishing trait of EUROPRISE is its PhD School of students from across Europe, a unique example in the world of science aimed at spreading excellence through training.EUROPRISE held its second annual conference in Budapest in November, 2009. The conference had 143 participants and their presentations covered aspects of vaccine and microbicide research, development and discovery. Since training is a major task of the Network, the students of the EUROPRISE PhD program summarized certain presentations and their view of the conference in this paper.

The Emerging Nexus of Active DNA Demethylation and Mitochondrial Oxidative Metabolism in Post-Mitotic Neurons

“…Instead, DNA methylation inhibitors ( Table 2 ) have attracted significant attention because 5-azacytidine, a cytosine analogue to inhibit DNA methylation, was shown to potently reprogram differentiated cells [ 75 ]. Non-nucleoside inhibitors such as siRNA, antisense (MG98) and miRNA that directly down-regulate the DNNT expression can be also considered as “non-toxic” demethylating agents because they do not need to be incorporated into DNA [ 76 ]. In addition, HDAC inhibitors such as the aforementioned TSA or valproic acid may indirectly induce DNA demethylation by remodelling chromatin to an “opening” state; thus, HDAC inhibitors can be considered as an alternative [ 73 ].…”

Rational design of HIV vaccines and microbicides: report of the EUROPRISE annual conference 2011

“…Consecutive development of cellular and then antibody responses to many HIV-1 subtypes was described [1,2,9]. A serological study to determine the breadth and magnitude of antibody responses to inserts in DNA, viral vector or protein components of the HIVIS vaccine is underway, supported by an innovation grant from Europrise.…”

“…Scientific data from earlier meetings were summarized previously [1,2]. New important data from oral and poster presentations were discussed by all collaborators at the conference and are summarised here by our PhD students.…”

“Wrapped Up” Vaccines in the Context of HIV-1 Immunotherapy

“…They have been used for drug delivery to treat cancer and infectious diseases. Until now, few liposomal formulations reached the pharmaceutical market of the U.S.A. Liposomes have been also employed to deliver antigens [231]. Given the liposome structure, the antigen can be encapsulated in its core (hydrophilic molecules) or accommodated within the lipid bilayer (hydrophobic molecules) [232].…”