VacTrain

Prof. Ben A.M. van der Zeijst

Scientific Coordinator of VacTrain, based at the Department of Medical Microbiology of Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands

Research field

Vaccines, Vaccinology

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Who?

“I hope that many young researchers will become a vaccinologist. We need a next generation of vaccinologists that is properly trained in all aspects of vaccine development”, says Ben van der Zeijst. He is a Professor of Vaccines and Vaccination at Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands.

Why?

Vaccines are among the most cost-effective health interventions ever developed. They save millions of lives each year. Professor van der Zeijst: “Well-trained vaccinologists have a general overview of all disciplines involved in vaccine development. The world needs these experts to continue developing and improving vaccines.”

What?

VacTrain is a training project. Our aim is to educate talented young researchers to become vaccinologists with the highest possible impact. These scientists will answer the most urgent questions in vaccine development and they will create new vaccines. We will establish a lasting European network of experts in vaccinology.

How?

We will provide 11 PhD students with a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary training. The students will work in leading European research groups located in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Belgium, Israel, Germany, Italy and Austria. They will use their knowledge to develop novel candidate vaccines.

Training the next generation of vaccinologists

The WHO estimates that the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has saved five million people from paralysis

Image: Baby receiving oral polio vaccine, Credit: Anthea Sieveking, Wellcome Images

Vaccines have eradicated smallpox

Image: A child infected with smallpox in Bangladesh in 1973, Credit: James Hicks - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

VacTrain will train 11 PhD students (VacTrainees) to become the next generation of vaccinologists

Image: eight VacTrainees, Credit: VacTrain

The VacTrainees will study human cytomegalovirus, influenza, tuberculosis, S. aureus, Lyme disease and malaria

Image: Negative-stained transmission electron micrograph of an influenza virus particle, Credit: Kat Masback

They will use state-of-the-art technology to design new vaccines which will be tested in tissue, mice and human patients

Image: scientist observing through a microscope, Credit: National Eye Institute

VacTrain will contribute to a lasting multidisciplinary network of key players in vaccinology in Europe

Image: CDC employee receives flu vaccine, Credit: James Gathany, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Video: VacTrain, Marie Curie training network for the next generation of vaccinologists

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VACTRAIN project website News from the Vaccine World (blog) Vaccine research on www.HorizonHealth.eu Video: Eradication of smallpox by vaccination Video: How do vaccines work? Video: First malaria vaccine approved Video: WHO Expanded Program of Immunization

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Background image: James Gathany, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Portrait of the project coordinator: VacTrain

Timeline (in chronological order): 1955: Fixi, 2012: Image Credit: James Gathany, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014: European Commission DG ECHO, 2015: Jim Gathany