Design a safe and effective vaccine against Group A Streptococcus

The Group A Streptococcus bacteria causes short-term infections such as ‘strep throat’, but in some children it causes an autoimmune condition called acute rheumatic fever, which can lead to rheumatic heart disease. 

Dr Jacelyn Loh’s team is working on a vaccine to target a “spike protein” on the surface of the “Strep A” bacteria. They’ve proved that their trial vaccine can protect against many strains of Strep A infection in animals. They’re making some more improvements to the vaccine, so that it can be ready to test effectiveness and safety in humans. The aim is a vaccine that can protect children against both rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.