Signe Cornell Svindland - PhD Student at the Gade Institute

Signe Cornell Svindland. Foto: Kristian Jensen

The influenza A virus is responsible for substantial mortality and morbidity, and a backward glance at our recent history tells of several plagues caused by this virus and millions of fatalities in its wake. Examples include the Spanish Flu from 1918 to 1920 and the Hong Kong Flu from 1968 until 1969.  There is little pre-existing natural immunity to H5N1 infection in the human population, and if the H5N1 virus gains the ability to undergo efficient and sustained transmission amongst humans, a new pernicious pandemic could result.

Facing a pandemic, dose-sparing strategies will be essential, and Signe's studies aim to find the optimum dose of nasal vaccine for inducing a broad and effective immune response.

The title of Signe's dissertation is: "Characterization of the immune response to intra nasal pandemic influenza vaccines". This is part of an EU funded project called NASPANVAC and aims to develop a vaccine against avian flu (H5N1) where the least possible antigen is used while the vaccine provides broad and effective protection.

Signe's work place will be the Influenza Centre at the Gade Institutue.  Principal supervisor is Professor Rebecca J. Cox.  Co-supervisor is postdoctoral fellow Åsne Jul-Larsen.