Microbiologist- Understanding the Immune response to MMRV Antibodies in a Population -MBA (ORISE)

A research opportunity is currently available within the Viral Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch (VVPDB), Division of Viral Diseases (DVD), National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) located in Atlanta, Georgia. DVD is responsible for the surveillance of multiple viruses associated with both vaccine preventable and non-vaccine preventable diseases. VVPDB also serves as a Global Specialized Laboratory within the World Health Organization (WHO) Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network.

Despite the widespread implementation of vaccination programs in several countries, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) remain highly relevant viral diseases for domestic and global public health programs. Understanding the prevalence of MMRV antibodies in a population is an important component of surveillance activities that can help verify vaccine coverage rates and identify subgroups within the population that may be at risk of disease transmission and outbreaks. VVPDB has developed a multiplex bead assay (MBA) to evaluate measles and rubella seroprevalence at the population level. The MBA is based on Luminex technology, where viral antigens are coupled to microbeads with unique fluorescence properties, providing the ability to test for antibodies against multiple pathogens simultaneously. The MBA is both high throughput and scalable by design and has already been implemented in large-scale international serosurveys with numerous additional studies planned.

The COVID-19 pandemic was disruptive to routine immunization programs and supplemental immunization campaigns globally, with millions of children and adults missing scheduled vaccine doses. The impact of this disruption to MMRV immunization programs is still unknown, but cross-sectional surveys of population immunity from specimens collected before and after the COVID-19 pandemic began can help to address this question.

To help accomplish these and other goals, the selected participant will join the Vaccine Immunology Team within VVPDB. Under the guidance of a mentor, research opportunities may include:

-         Developing and evaluating antigens to integrate MBA testing for additional pathogens

-         Performing quality control and method validation for MBAs utilizing new pathogens

-         Testing large panels of sera by MBA to generate data for serosurveys

The results of this project will provide VVPDB with an improved serologic assay platform for rapidly quantifying protective immunity against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. The selected participant will collaborate with subject matter experts and team members who are performing various aspects of this research.

Qualifications:

The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor’s or master’s in biology, microbiology, immunology, or a related field; or be currently pursuing one of these degrees and will reach completion by the start date of the appointment. Degree must have been received within 5 years of the appointment start date.

Experience in serology is desirable.

Eligibility Requirements:

-         Degree: Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree received within the last 60 month(s)

-         Discipline(s):

o  Life Health and Medical Sciences