Wim Adriaensen
Head of Unit / Professor of Clinical Immunology Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Belgium Email: wadriaensen@itg.be
VALIDATE Role: Network Investigator
Research Keywords: Leishmaniasis, Vaccinology, Patient Immunosurveillance, Antigen-Specific T/B Cell Immunity, Antigen Presentation and Recognition, TCR Diversity, Big Data Immunology
Biography: My unit is geared towards the (better) definition of protective T and B cell immunity in Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and (re-)Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs), by means of establishing robust patient immunosurveillance platforms in remote settings. Driven by disease complexity of protozoan infections, we turn to big data immunology and related synergies with artificial intelligence. In the research field of Leishmaniasis in particular, we are focused on understanding the drivers behind the large spectrum of clinical presentations, the robust definition of a protective T cell response, providing a solid basis for antigen selection in vaccine development, and evaluating host-directed therapies. Our patient immunosurveillance platforms are refined for the targeted evaluation of antigen-specific T cell immunity in blood and minimalistic tissue samples op patients to appropriately guide vaccine design and evaluation for vector-borne diseases such as leishmaniasis (and leprosy).
Related Websites: Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp
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