NEWS BRIEFING: Researchers crack code behind historic success of TB vaccine now being trialled for COVID-19

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Peer-reviewedExperimental studyPeopleAnimalsWhat do these mean?

Peer-reviewed: This work was reviewed and scrutinised by relevant independent experts.

Experimental study: At least one thing in the experiment was changed to see if it had an impact on the subjects (often people or animals) – eg: changing the amount of time mice spend on an exercise wheel to find out what impact it has on weight loss.

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Animals: This is a study based on research on whole animals.

Aussie researchers have figured out one of science’s most enduring mysteries: what makes the 100-year-old tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, BCG, so effective at preventing newborn deaths from diseases other than TB. Working with a global team, they’ve found the vaccine, currently being investigated for its potential to fight off COVID-19, rapidly increases the number of neutrophils – white blood cells that patrol the body and destroy invading bacteria – in mice and babies within three days of vaccination. Join us for an online briefing where we will discuss how the vaccine works and how it could be used to protect millions of newborns.

Journal/conference: Science Translational Medicine

Link to research (DOI): 10.1126/scitranslmed.aax4517

Organisation/s: Telethon Kids Institute

Funder: N/A

Media Briefing/Press Conference

From: Australian Science Media Centre

Date: Wed 6 May 2020
Start Time: 1pm AEST
Duration: Approx 45 min
Venue: Online

Speakers:

Dr Nelly Amenyogbe, Telethon Kids Institute
Professor Tobias Kollmann, Telethon Kids Institute

A full recording of the briefing is available via the link below

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Video
Australian Science Media Centre
Web page

Full briefing recording

News for:

Australia
International
WA

Multimedia:

Tobias Kollmann

File size: 2.0 MB

Attribution: Telethon Kids Institute

Permission category: © - Only use with this story

Last modified: 07 May 2020 2:10am

NOTE: High resolution files can only be downloaded here by registered journalists who are logged in.
Nelly Amenyogbe and Tobias Kollmann

File size: 1.5 MB

Attribution: Telethon Kids Institute

Permission category: © - Only use with this story

Last modified: 07 May 2020 2:10am

NOTE: High resolution files can only be downloaded here by registered journalists who are logged in.
Nelly Amenyogbe

File size: 1.4 MB

Attribution: Telethon Kids Institute

Permission category: © - Only use with this story

Last modified: 07 May 2020 2:10am

NOTE: High resolution files can only be downloaded here by registered journalists who are logged in.

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