Anaplasmosis vaccine development for West Africa: genetic and immunologic analysis of endemic strains

James’s research goal is to identify pathways towards multi-pathogen-based vaccine development and deployment in West Africa. He is based at the College of Agriculture and Consumer Science, University of Ghana. James has initiated research addressing the diversity of the outer membrane proteins of Anaplasma marginale, the most prevalent tick-borne pathogen of cattle. The antigenic conservation of these antigens with those of strains in Africa is unknown, but clearly required to progress on vaccine development. During his Fellowship, James has implemented diagnostic assays for tick-borne infectious diseases of livestock in his laboratory. Using these, he has identified endemic zones, isolated pathogens, intiated sequencing of potential vaccine candidates and established working relationships with farmers in these areas.

This grant was awarded under the scheme's previous name of Intermediate Fellowships in Public Health and Tropical Medicine.