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Whether you believe in science or not, we have all benefited from it in one way or another. Lillian Zighe is a lovely young woman in Kenya, completing her masters in Infectious diseases and Vaccinology through Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology ( mostly known as JKUAT). On April 02/2015 she presented her immunology paper dealing with vaccines, and her professors were impressed and encouraged her to proceed with the research. Her focus is on Cytokines ( in Immunology research), so this is not yet about a specific disease. Unfortunately, the equipment she would need to actualize her research is not readily available in Kenya. This did not stop her; she has tried to find a place to continue her research.
She finally got an interview with professor Nikolai Petrovsky, Chairman and Research Director of Vaxine. Vaxine Pty Limited (www.vaxine.net) is an Australian company that solely focuses on vaccine research and production and they have agreed to give Lillian a once in a lifetime opportunity to carry out her research at their faciities. Unfortunately she cannot afford travel there and the first two month's expenses without your help. Her tenacity is inspiring, and I believe you like many others would want to get behind her and be part of her success!
This young woman who has tremendous passion for science and research answered a few questions for us on what drives her and what she wants to focus on.
1. As a young scientist, what is one disease that you are eager to find a vaccine or cure for?
Lillian: “Most people would say either Malaria, HIV or Ebola but that is not what I would get involved in. Reason being, there is a lot of research being done on these diseases and their vaccines. So to answer your question I would say Tuberculosis.”
2. Why Tuberculosis?
Lillian: “Tuberculosis has a high mortality rate particularly in Asia and Africa (and most developing countries). There is great need for a new Tuberculosis vaccine because, the current tuberculosis vaccine BCG (Bacille Calmette Guerin) has been in use for the last eighty years. Its efficacy varies between 0 to 80 percent depending on individuals and can only protect you for a maximum of 15 years. BCG is used in endemic countries to protect children against military tuberculosis and tuberculous meningitis; its efficacy against pulmonary tuberculosis is however controversial.
3. What challenges would do you foresee in the research process?
Lillian: “Any research involves challenges, some can be foreseen and planned for (so called Systemic Errors), and some confounders which may only be discovered once research process is underway. Random errors can cause setbacks to research projects, but they may also provide an opportunity or a fortuitous direction to the research. In the case of Tuberculosis research, some of the challenges that I can forsee include;
i. Choosing the best form to produce the vaccine: should it be live attenuated, inactivated, DNA vaccine, recombinant?
ii. The right antigen to target so that the vaccine produced has a high and consistent efficacy.
iii. A vaccine that is able to protect against all types of tuberculosis and has a lifelong protection period.”
4. How can these challenges be overcome?
Lillian: “Scientific technology has advanced over the years; it is a shame that we are still using a vaccine that was made eighty years ago. New methods of vaccine production as well as new research tools make it possible to produce safe and effective vaccines. It is easier to get the best antigens to target using tools like bioinformatics. Getting the best antigen that can produce the highest and the longest lasting immunity is most important. Choosing the best delivery method and adjuvant is also important.”
We (her colleagues, friends & family) believe in Lillian, Do you? We ask you to join us in helping Lillian:
Get to Vaxine.
Continue her research.
Find the next BIG Vaccine for Tuberculosis!!!
People are donating whatever they have to help in any way possible.
Not only Lillian but humanity might Thank You for it. Because there are still a lot of diseases we are yet to find Vaccines or Cures for.
Thank You Kindly for Your Generosity.
She finally got an interview with professor Nikolai Petrovsky, Chairman and Research Director of Vaxine. Vaxine Pty Limited (www.vaxine.net) is an Australian company that solely focuses on vaccine research and production and they have agreed to give Lillian a once in a lifetime opportunity to carry out her research at their faciities. Unfortunately she cannot afford travel there and the first two month's expenses without your help. Her tenacity is inspiring, and I believe you like many others would want to get behind her and be part of her success!
This young woman who has tremendous passion for science and research answered a few questions for us on what drives her and what she wants to focus on.
1. As a young scientist, what is one disease that you are eager to find a vaccine or cure for?
Lillian: “Most people would say either Malaria, HIV or Ebola but that is not what I would get involved in. Reason being, there is a lot of research being done on these diseases and their vaccines. So to answer your question I would say Tuberculosis.”
2. Why Tuberculosis?
Lillian: “Tuberculosis has a high mortality rate particularly in Asia and Africa (and most developing countries). There is great need for a new Tuberculosis vaccine because, the current tuberculosis vaccine BCG (Bacille Calmette Guerin) has been in use for the last eighty years. Its efficacy varies between 0 to 80 percent depending on individuals and can only protect you for a maximum of 15 years. BCG is used in endemic countries to protect children against military tuberculosis and tuberculous meningitis; its efficacy against pulmonary tuberculosis is however controversial.
3. What challenges would do you foresee in the research process?
Lillian: “Any research involves challenges, some can be foreseen and planned for (so called Systemic Errors), and some confounders which may only be discovered once research process is underway. Random errors can cause setbacks to research projects, but they may also provide an opportunity or a fortuitous direction to the research. In the case of Tuberculosis research, some of the challenges that I can forsee include;
i. Choosing the best form to produce the vaccine: should it be live attenuated, inactivated, DNA vaccine, recombinant?
ii. The right antigen to target so that the vaccine produced has a high and consistent efficacy.
iii. A vaccine that is able to protect against all types of tuberculosis and has a lifelong protection period.”
4. How can these challenges be overcome?
Lillian: “Scientific technology has advanced over the years; it is a shame that we are still using a vaccine that was made eighty years ago. New methods of vaccine production as well as new research tools make it possible to produce safe and effective vaccines. It is easier to get the best antigens to target using tools like bioinformatics. Getting the best antigen that can produce the highest and the longest lasting immunity is most important. Choosing the best delivery method and adjuvant is also important.”
We (her colleagues, friends & family) believe in Lillian, Do you? We ask you to join us in helping Lillian:
Get to Vaxine.
Continue her research.
Find the next BIG Vaccine for Tuberculosis!!!
People are donating whatever they have to help in any way possible.
Not only Lillian but humanity might Thank You for it. Because there are still a lot of diseases we are yet to find Vaccines or Cures for.
Thank You Kindly for Your Generosity.
Organizer
Angus Maseghe
Organizer
Edmonton, AB
