Jens Wrammert, PhD

Associate Professor, Emory Vaccine Center
Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine
Investigator, Emory Center for AIDS Research

The overall aim of my research is focused on the understanding of human and macaque B cell responses following infection or vaccination. To this end we have ongoing studies spanning B cell responses following influenza vaccination or infection, dengue and cholera infection, and SIV/HIV vaccination. Over the last several years we have pioneered technology for producing fully human monoclonal antibodies against a host of different pathogens from plasmablasts induced either by infection or vaccination. Using this approach we have been able to analyze the details of the induced B cell responses at a monoclonal level in terms of epitope specificity, affinity and functional properties (i.e viral neutralization) and have isolated panels of human monoclonal antibodies with diagnostic or therapeutic potential. The knowledge gained from these studies will further our understanding of B cell responses against infectious diseases and vaccines, as well as guide future efforts in vaccine design and development.