Establishing Controlled Human Infection Models for Old and New Pathogens
Join us for a VALIDATE online seminar exploring the scientific and ethical dimensions of controlled human infection models.
This joint seminar will feature Professor Helen McShane and Dr Jonathan Pugh, both from the University of Oxford. Professor McShane will discuss the development of controlled human infection models for old and new pathogens, including work using BCG as a human challenge model for tuberculosis vaccine research and more recent work on SARS-CoV-2. Dr Pugh will then explore the ethical considerations involved in designing human challenge studies, drawing on recent work in research ethics.
Controlled human infection models, in which healthy volunteers consent to be deliberately exposed to a pathogen under carefully controlled clinical conditions, can provide valuable insights for vaccine research and development. However, they also raise important scientific, safety and ethical questions, particularly when working with complex or high-risk pathogens.
This seminar will be of interest to researchers working in vaccinology, infectious diseases, human challenge studies, clinical trials, immunology, and research ethics.
About the Speakers
Dr Jonathan Pugh is Deputy Director of Public Philosophy and Senior Research Fellow at the Uehiro Oxford Institute, University of Oxford. He is also Lead Tutor on the MSt in Practical Ethics and Theme Lead for Ethics and Values at Reuben College. His research focuses on applied ethics, especially personal autonomy, informed consent, research ethics, public health ethics and related issues.
Professor Helen McShane is VALIDATE Network Director, Director of the Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Professor of Vaccinology at the University of Oxford, Deputy Head (Translation and Personnel) of the Medical Sciences Division, and an Honorary Consultant Physician in infectious diseases. Her research focuses on vaccine development for tuberculosis, including alternative vaccine delivery routes and the development of controlled human infection models for TB and SARS-CoV-2.
