News Release

Queen's scientists seek vaccine for Pseudomonas infection

Grant and Award Announcement

Queen's University Belfast

Queen's University scientists working on a vaccine to combat Pseudomonas have received a major financial boost from Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke (NICH&S).

The local charity has awarded Queen's Centre for Infection and Immunity a grant of £91,000 to help with their hunt for a vaccine.

Pseudomonas, which can be a killer in vulnerable adults and children, commonly infects the lungs of people suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). CF damages a number of vital organs, particularly the lungs. It currently affects one in 2,500 newborn babies and Pseudomonas infection occurs in 80 per cent of adults living with CF. Currently in Northern Ireland CF affects 440 people in Northern Ireland, 190 of them children.

If a vaccine can be found, survival rates would increase for those affected by the serious genetic condition.

CF is caused by a genetic defect which results in thick, sticky mucous in the lungs, which becomes infected with bugs, in particular Pseudomonas. These bugs are almost impossible to eradicate, even with long-term antibiotics. This results in damage to the lungs, ultimately leading to early death through breathing difficulties.

Professor Stuart Elborn and Dr Rebecca Ingram, from Queen's Centre for Infection and Immunity are leading the study. Dr Ingram said: "Pseudomonas is around us all the time, and is normally cleared easily from our bodies, however, the mucus in the lungs of CF patients creates a perfect environment for the bacteria to live and multiply.

"In our study, patients' blood cells are placed on a special membrane and then mixed with different parts of the bacteria, to see if the body recognises them and so releases 'attack' molecules to deal with the infection. A dye is used to highlight the spots where this process is happening. It is the first time the technique has been used to examine human responses to Pseudomonas. Knowing which parts of the infection can most easily be recognised by the body will be a key piece in the jigsaw leading to the discovery of a vaccine."

The Chief Executive of NI Chest Heart & Stroke, Andrew Dougal, said: "Cystic fibrosis is a devastating illness primarily affecting the lungs. We are delighted to be supporting this high quality local research at Queen's, which brings hope of a Pseudomonas vaccine to improve survival rates. Often, these research grant awards are made possible only by the generosity of people who bequeath money to us in their wills. Legacies have become a vitally important source of income at a time of economic downturn".

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For further information contact Lisa McElroy, Senior Communications Officer, Queen's University. Tel: +44 (028) 90 97 5384, m0781 44 22 572 or email lisa.mcelroy@qub.ac.uk

Notes to Editors

1. Chest Heart and Stroke Statistics for Northern Ireland

  • 60 people a week die of heart disease in Northern Ireland.
  • Nearly twice as many women under the age of 75 die from heart disease as from breast cancer.
  • Heart disease and stroke kill more people than all the cancers combined.
  • More than 7,500 people each year die from a chest, heart or stroke illness - that's more than 20 every day.
  • More than half of all deaths in Northern Ireland are caused by chest, heart or stroke illness.
  • More than 3,000 people each year suffer a stroke.

NICHS aims to improve the quality of life of the people of Northern Ireland by preventing and alleviating chest, heart and stroke illnesses

2. Queen's University's Centre for Infection and Immunity

Queen's University Belfast's Centre for Infection & Immunity (CII) is an interdisciplinary research centre committed to the highest quality of research excellence. It has over 50 clinical and basic researchers. Its mission is to develop new avenues for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of important diseases to relieve human suffering. To achieve this it is developing the highest quality clinical and basic science research programmes. The hallmark of its research programme is a close, collaborative interaction between clinical and laboratory research experts that ultimately enhances the quality and scope of its integrated basic and clinical research programmes.


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