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Brief description/objective

The major aim of this project is to generate a polyvalent vaccine candidate using microencapsulates Salmonella typhi proteins for oral administration. To this end, the laboratory in Mexico will produce sufficient amounts of S. typhi porins for encapsulation. In addition, material will be provided for subsequent Immunological testing. Using GMP-quality S. typhi porins, three different groups of formulations (PLGA, polyacrylate, non-digestible lipids) of encapsulated S. typhi porins will be generated by the laboratory in Zürich. The group in St. Gallen will assess the immunogenicity of the encapsulated S. typhi porins formulations in peripheral-oral/prime-boost vaccination schemes in mice. Evaluation of S. typhi porins-induced immunity will be performed by the groups in St. Gallen and Mexico. The long-standing collaboration between the groups in Mexico and St. Gallen ensures that all necessary methods and assays for evaluation of anti-Salmonella immune responses can be performed in both laboratories. Endpoints for the in vivo experiments are the following: (1) Generation of S. thyphi-specific mucosal lgM, (2) generation of S. typhi-specific mucosal lgA, (3) generation of lgM reactive with other Salmonella species, (4) generation of lgA reactive with other Salmonella species, (5) protective immunity against S. typhimurium challenge.