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Scientists in meningitis vaccine bid
31 July 2004
Scientists at Imperial College London, Centre for Molecular Microbiology and Infection are forging ahead with research for a vaccine for Group B meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia.
Whilst there are vaccines, which prevent some forms of meningitis and septicaemia, the blood poisoning form, no vaccine exists for Group B disease. This form causes most of the cases of meningitis and septicaemia in the UK and every year is responsible for around 100 deaths.
The 18-month research project, costing 100,000, is being funded by Meningitis Research Foundation, a national charity fighting to prevent death and disability resulting from meningitis and septicaemia.
This new research is building on discoveries made in another Foundation-funded project. Said Dr Christoph Tang, who is running the project: "Previously we identified 10 genes which the bacterial need to survive in their human host. We are now working on three of these genes from which we hope to identify a promising candidate for further vaccine related research."
Denise Vaughan, Chief Executive of Meningitis Research Foundation said: "We are delighted to be funding this research project which we hope may take us closer to a vaccine for Group B meningitis and septicaemia, saving many hundreds of lives."
Further information about the work of Meningitis Research Foundation or about meningitis and septicaemia, can be obtained from the Foundation's Freefone 24 hour helpline - 080 8800 3344.
Read more about this project:
Research archive for the public - Genes involved in carriage - a potential target for Group B meningococcal vaccine
Research archive for the scientific community - Development of meningococcal vaccines that target colonisation factors