English site
Research Gate:
www.researchgate.net/profile/Yoshifumi-Nishikawa
researchmap:
https://researchmap.jp/read0136808
Research subject:
Development of a novel vaccine and drug against refractory protozoan diseases
1. Background of research
Protozoa are a diverse group of single-cell eukaryotic organisms, which include many parasitic species that cause serious disease in mammals. These parasites are also important within the medical, veterinary and agricultural sectors, such as the Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium and Neospora, which have major impacts on human health and livestock productivity. Although many researchers worldwide have attempted to develop vaccines against protozoan diseases, they have ultimately been unsuccessful because these species possess a unique ability to escape from the vaccine effects.
2. Research objectives
The aim of this study is to develop a next-generation vaccine and new drug against protozoan diseases of humans and livestock, and to assess the efficacy of this vaccine and drug using animal infection models.
3. Research characteristics
The technology proposed in this study is novel-type of vaccine in which the vaccine components are encapsulated by lipids and oligosaccharide. These novel vaccines are able to induce effective and strong immune responses in human and other animals, overcoming the lower efficacy exhibited by current vaccines. New drug are screened from natural product or bacteria for the treatment the protozoan diseases.
4. Anticipated effects and future applications of research
It is anticipated that this study will develop the world's first preventive vaccine or drug against protozoan diseases and contribute to improved human health, greater food stability, and vaccine development against other refractory diseases. Such an effective prophylaxis has not previously been established despite the importance of protozoan infections in the fields of medical science, veterinary medicine and public health.
Nishikawa lab.Yoshifumi NISHIKAWA, Ph.D. P
rofessor Research Unit for Host Defense, National Research Center for Protozoan DiseasesObihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, JAPAN
E-mail: nisikawa@obihiro.ac.jp