June 19, 2025
Four outstanding early- and mid-career researchers have received a funding boost to advance projects investigating vaccine efficacy and immune responses to infectious diseases. Each recipient was awarded a $50,000 grant from the Victorian Critical Vaccinees Collection (VC2), which also provides access to its extensive biobank of research samples.
The VC2 is a biospecimen collection of samples from people vaccinated against pandemic diseases, such as COVID-19 and mpox, in Victoria. Established in 2021 with a grant from the Victorian Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (then Jobs, Precincts and Regions), the VC2 biobank is a longitudinal collection of more than 23,000 high-quality research samples from over 200 individuals.
The recent VC2 Research Seed Funding Grant call generated strong interest from researchers from a range of institutions in Victoria. Applications were assessed through a rigorous review and selection process, led by the VC2 Scientific Review Committee, with input from community reviewers.
Associate Professor Janine Trevillyan, Head of Clinical Virology and HIV Services, and Deputy Director Department of Infectious Diseases at Austin Health, is the Clinical lead for VC2. She said the grants demonstrate the ongoing relevance of the VC2 collection.
“The VC2 contains high-quality samples from Victorian donors that are paired with important clinical data. This combined resource is very valuable for researchers working on a range of infectious disease questions,” said Associate Professor Trevillyan.
“We were thrilled to receive excellent applications covering a range of infectious diseases, and are pleased to support four strong and diverse projects led by early- and mid-career scientists addressing important questions on mpox, COVID-19 and pneumococcal disease.”
The successful projects
Advancing MPXV Antibody Testing
Dr Morgan Freney, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL), Doherty Institute
The Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Dr Morgan Freney, Medical Virologist at VIDRL at the Doherty Institute, will develop a rapid test to measure antibodies against mpox virus (MPXV) following infection or vaccination. This project aims to assess the cross-protection potential of current vaccines against emerging MPXV strains, addressing a critical global health concern.
“By developing this test, we can quickly measure MPXV antibodies after infection or vaccination and better understand how vaccines protect against current and emerging strains of MPXV,” explained Dr Freney.
Unravelling COVID-19 Vaccine Responses
Dr Mai Vu, University of Melbourne, Doherty Institute
The University of Melbourne’s Dr Mai Vu, Research Officer at the Doherty Institute, will conduct a detailed analysis of SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody responses in approximately 100 individuals vaccinated with different COVID-19 vaccines or recovered from infection. This study will provide insights into how vaccine design influences antibody generation and protection against infection.
“Understanding how vaccine design affects the type of immune response that you develop will help us develop more effective vaccines in the future,” said Dr Vu.
Investigating Aging and Vaccine Efficacy
Dr Emily Edwards, Monash University
Dr Emily Edwards, Research Fellow at Monash University, will examine the effects of aging on memory B cells, focusing on responses to SARS-CoV-2 and influenza in individuals over 65 who have received COVID-19 booster vaccinations. This research aims to determine if vaccine-generated immunity remains protective in older adults, alongside individuals with inherited impairments in immune function known as primary immunodeficiencies.
“This project will provide crucial insights into how aging affects B cell mediated immunity, and whether older populations are well protected by COVID-19 booster vaccines or may need additional strategies for ongoing protection from disease,” stated Dr Edwards.
Exploring Alternative Pneumococcal Detection Methods
Dr Elissavet Nikolaou, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI)
Dr Elissavet Nikolaou, Research Fellow at MCRI, will investigate the use of saliva collection as a less invasive alternative to nasopharyngeal swabs for detecting and characterising the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. This study could lead to more acceptable and practical sample collection for pneumococcal carriage studies worldwide.
“Accurate and practical approaches for sample collection and testing are essential for generating reliable carriage data. These data are critical for informing decisions for the best prevention and treatment strategies,” noted Dr Nikolaou.
The VC2 Seed Grant program supports innovative research utilising biobanked samples from the VC2 collection. Supported projects address pressing public health challenges and further our understanding of vaccine efficacy and immune responses to various pathogens.
For more information about the VC2 and its research initiatives, visit vc2.org.au or contact vc2-biobank@unimelb.edu.au