Infectious Diseases and HIV Conference

Antigens can be proteins, polysaccharides, or other molecules which appear on the surface of pathogens or are part and parcel of their structure.

This lecture will introduce participants to exogenous antigens derived from the outside of the body and endogenous antigens produced within the body, such as cancer cells. Participants will learn about molecular structures defining antigens and how the variability of antigens dictates its influence on immune recognition.

Antigen recognition and immune activation: The effective immunity will be mounted only when the immune system recognizes antigens. This lecture will explore how the T cells and B cells, the two of the major types of the lymphocytes in the adaptive immune response, recognize antigens. Students will master the mechanisms of antigen presentation and the role of MHC molecules in showing antigens to the T cells.

This session will further the study in which B cells produce antibodies in response to antigens as markers for destruction by other immune cells. The development of vaccines is anchored on antigens that provoke an immune response within the host, which then proceeds to develop protective immunity.

During the session, participants will learn about a general overview of vaccine development with all categories of vaccines: live attenuated, inactivated, subunit, and mRNA vaccines, as each category makes use of antigens as immunological stimuli. Candidates will delve into case studies on successful vaccines such as measles, hepatitis B, and COVID-19 vaccines, noting how they exploit their antigenic properties to induce immunity.

Although antigens play a vital role in the way the immune system recognizes and responds appropriately, there is the challenge of proper recognition and response by the immune system. This session will focus on problems associated with antigenic variation such as viruses which mutate quickly, including influenza and HIV. Participants will realize the concepts of antigenic drift and shift, and how it affects them and in turn impacts vaccine efficiency and health policy.

The discussion about the future of antigen research will culminate the session. These will include emerging technologies and methodologies designed and deployed to target new antigens for therapy.

The discussion on further advances in proteomics and genomics shall set out more knowledge on the interactions between antigens and antibodies and its prospects in vaccine development and immunotherapy.

Interdisciplinary collaboration to advance research in the field of antigens is to be emphasized upon, with respect to the role that antigens play in the management of infectious diseases.