Alexander J. Mentzer

May 13, 2024 | nature.com | Alexander J. Mentzer |Martin Pollard |Deepti Gurdasani |Amanda Chong |Rasmus Nielsen |Nicolas Timpson | +10 more

AbstractHow human genetic variation contributes to vaccine effectiveness in infants is unclear, and data are limited on these relationships in populations with African ancestries. We undertook genetic analyses of vaccine antibody responses in infants from Uganda (n = 1391), Burkina Faso (n = 353) and South Africa (n = 755), identifying associations between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and antibody response for five of eight tested antigens spanning pertussis, diphtheria and hepatitis B vaccines.

Apr 15, 2024 | nature.com | Chang Liu |Aiste Dijokaite-Guraliuc |Daming Zhou |Alexander J. Mentzer |Thomas Ritter |Nigel Temperton | +8 more

AbstractThe rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 is driven in part by a need to evade the antibody response in the face of high levels of immunity. Here, we isolate spike (S) binding monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from vaccinees who suffered vaccine break-through infections with Omicron sub lineages BA.4 or BA.5. Twenty eight potent antibodies are isolated and characterised functionally, and in some cases structurally.

Mar 27, 2024 | nature.com | Daming Zhou |Aiste Dijokaite-Guraliuc |Alexander J. Mentzer |Nigel Temperton |Paul Klenerman |Susanna J. Dunachie | +3 more

AbstractUnder pressure from neutralising antibodies induced by vaccination or infection the SARS-CoV-2 spike gene has become a hotspot for evolutionary change, leading to the failure of all mAbs developed for clinical use. Most potent antibodies bind to the receptor binding domain which has become heavily mutated.

Dec 6, 2023 | nature.com | Juan Carlos Yam-Puc |Emily Horner |Alexander J. Mentzer |Kathryn S. Lilley |C. Mark Smales |Susanna J. Dunachie

AbstractIn vitro-transcribed (IVT) mRNAs are modalities that can combat human disease, exemplified by their use as vaccines for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). IVT mRNAs are transfected into target cells, where they are translated into recombinant protein, and the biological activity or immunogenicity of the encoded protein exerts an intended therapeutic effect1,2.