Grant: Catalyst Grant: STBBI Research in Canada: Beyond HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis C - General

Infectious and congenital syphilis eradication has been identified as a top global public health priority. Elimination of syphilis as a public health threat will require both the development of an effective vaccine, that can be used alongside public health initiatives to strengthen screening and treatment programs, and infusion of more researchers into the field of syphilis basic science research. The focus of our Catalyst Grant is to investigate the potential of Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMVs) from Treponema pallidum (Tp), the causative agent of syphilis, to serve as an effective syphilis vaccine candidate. The grant will focus upon isolation and proteomic characterization of the protein and lipid content of Tp OMVs, as well as the post-translational modifications observed on Tp OMVs and the immune response induced upon vaccination with Tp OMVs. These investigations will provide the dual benefit of progress towards development of an effective syphilis vaccine and increasing the number, expertise, and diversity of researchers within the field of syphilis research.