Dr Andy Poumbourios
Co-Head, Viral Entry and Vaccines Group
Working groups
Background
Dr. Andy Poumbourios is co-Head of the Viral Entry and Vaccines research group at Burnet Institute and the lead of the SARS-CoV-2 stream of the Burnet Vaccine Initiative. His career has followed an interest in the therapeutic and immunogenic potential of viral envelope proteins that mediate cellular entry.
With a focus on understanding how the Spike proteins of HIV-1, human T cell leukemia virus and hepatitis C virus perform their functions and how this relates to their structures, Andy has applied this knowledge to the development of Burnet hepatitis C vaccine, publishing and patenting its development over the last decade. This knowledge has now facilitated the discovery of the Burnet vaccine candidate for SARS-CoV-2, which in turn brought about the formation of the Burnet Vaccine Initiative.
Andy has won multiple NHMRC grants and holds granted patents.
Burnet publications
View 35 moreAfucosylated broadly neutralising antibodies targeting HIV envelope elicit enhanced NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against HIV-infected CD4+ T cell and macrophage targets
Journal of Leukocyte Biology
Olaf G. Wilhelm et al
Induction of Fc-dependent functional antibodies against different variants of SARS-CoV-2 varies by vaccine type and prior infection
Communications Medicine
Alexander W. Harris et al
Fc-dependent functional activity of ChAdOx1-S and CoronaVac vaccine-induced antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Alexander W. Harris et al
Current projects
Development of a HCV vaccine candidate
No hepatitis C vaccine exists due to the virus's genetic diversity, a critical gap in global health. We aim to develop a vaccine that overcomes these hurdles.
Developing next-generation mRNA vaccines for malaria
Vaccination is a highly effective strategy to protect populations against infectious diseases. Highly protective and long-lasting vaccines are needed to reduce the global burden of malaria and enable elimination.
Past projects
Development of a novel prophylactic vaccine candidate for HIV-1
HIV-1 continues to have a devasta1ng impact in resource-poor regions where antiretroviral therapy is not widely available.
Neutralising antibody assays for COVID-19
Rapid high-throughput neutralisation assays are essential for analysis of immune responses in human infection and animal experiments.
News and features
Burnet welcomes grant for mRNA vaccine development
Burnet Institute’s Burnet Vaccine Initiative (BVI) has been awarded a grant of over AUD$3 million from the Victorian Government’s mRNA Victoria Activation Program to accelerate the development of next generation mRNA vaccines.
Burnet's role in COVID-19 vaccine quest
Burnet researchers are manipulating the ‘key’ SARS-CoV-2 uses to break into our cells.