"There is a lot of emphasis in my work on structures and antibodies, but the ultimate goal is to use what we learn from those to try and make vaccines, or better vaccines."
— Dr. Andrew McGuire
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McGuire
Andrew McGuire, PhD
- Associate Professor, Immunology and Vaccine Development Program, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutch
- Member, Pathogen-Associated Malignancies Integrated Research Center (PAM IRC)
Background
Dr. Andrew McGuire is a molecular and cellular biologist who works on the design of HIV vaccines. His research is focused on developing immunogens — molecules that would cause the immune system to generate protective proteins, or neutralizing antibodies, to block the virus. Because HIV mutates so rapidly, conventional antibodies do not provide lasting protection. So, Dr. McGuire is working on coaxing the immune system to generate so-called broadly neutralizing antibodies, which are difficult for HIV to evade and more effective at protecting against different strains. His lab also works on the design of vaccines against Epstein-Barr virus, which can cause mononucleosis and certain cancers.
Education
PhD, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Ontario, 2011
BSc, Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Guelph, 2004
Research Interests
HIV-1 Immunogen Design
Development of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies in HIV-1 Infection
Antigen-B cell interactions
Current Projects
Developing, producing, and assessing novel immunogens to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1
Developing and testing vaccines against Epstein-Barr virus