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COVID-19 Immunology

Dr Aoife Louise Gorman

Research Fellow, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute

  • Research Institute:

    • Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute

  • Contact e-mail:
  • Contact number:
  • Thematic Area:

    • Therapeutics/ Vaccine Studies

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Research Profile:

Aoife’s research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of vaccine adjuvants in innate and adaptive immune responses. She completed her PhD in the Adjuvant Research Group in 2019, which primarily focused on the immunological and metabolic effects of the vaccine adjuvant alum. Aoife is based in the Lavelle Lab, which is interested in the development of new vaccines for infections such as SARS-CoV-2 through deciphering the mechanisms by which adjuvants modulate and regulate innate and adaptive immune responses.

COVID-19 Project:

Vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 should promote antigen-specific CD8 and CD4 responses in addition to neutralising antibodies. While there are a number of adjuvants in licensed vaccines that promote strong humoral immunity, there are currently few adjuvants that effectively promote cellular immunity, especially CD8 responses in humans. The Lavelle group are investigating the potential of particulate adjuvants including biodegradable nanoparticles for promoting SARS-CoV-2 antigen specific CD8 responses in addition to Th1-biased CD4 responses and antibodies. The relationship between the physicochemical properties of the adjuvants and their ability to promote cellular and humoral immunity will be addressed.