PhD Scientific Days 2026

Poster Session 1.I - Theoretical and Translational Medicine

Development of a Virus-Like Particle-based Antigen Adaptable Platform for New Types of Vaccines

Előadó neve

Mr. Kiss, Benjamin Zoltán

Neptune code

AKM9K1

Előadó munkahelye

Institute of Clinical Pathophysiology

Előadó telefonszáma

+36703692392

Előadó e-mail címe

kiss@targetex.com

Az előadás címe

Development of a Virus-Like Particle-based Antigen Adaptable Platform for New Types of Vaccines

Szerző(k) neve és munkahelye

Benjamin Zoltán Kiss¹, Éva Bulyáki², Enikő Fodor², István Hajdú³, Krisztina Dobi², Zsolt Lőrincz², Zoltán Benyó¹

1: Institute of Clinical Pathophysiology
2: TargetEx Kft.
3: HUN-REN TTK

Bemutatás módja

Poszter

Szekció

Poster Session 1.I - Theoretical and Translational Medicine

Language of the presentation

English

Preferred session

Theoretical and Translational Medicine

Összefoglaló szövege

The persistent emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases highlights a critical need for rapid, adaptable vaccine development technologies. Conventional vaccine development pipelines are frequently constrained by long timelines and limited flexibility, underscoring the importance of modular platforms that can accommodate diverse antigens with minimal reconfiguration.
This proof-of-concept study aims to establish a modular, plug-and-play vaccine platform based on virus-like particles (VLPs) to rapidly generate protein-based vaccine candidates. The proposed platform is designed to be both flexible and scalable, facilitating the incorporation of a broad spectrum of antigens targeting various infectious diseases.
The platform employs a VLP derived from Porcine Circovirus type 2d (PCV2d) as a structural scaffold. Antigens are engineered to associate with the VLP surface via designed coiled-coil peptide interactions, thereby enabling modular assembly. VLPs are produced using a baculovirus expression system in insect cells, while antigens can be expressed in systems optimised for their specific biochemical properties.
Initial characterisation of antigen–VLP interactions is conducted using green fluorescent protein (GFP) and FITC fused to coiled-coil domains, serving as a model system to assess binding efficiency and antigen presentation. Optimisation of protein expression is ongoing, supported by analytical techniques such as SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC-HPLC) to evaluate yield, purity, and structural integrity.
The first set of protein constructs for both VLPs and model GFP antigens has been expressed and purified. In the case of TGX003, expression and purification were successful, and the desired protein characteristics were achieved. This VLP was further characterised with SEC-HPLC and AFM measurements. Further validation will be conducted through the development and preclinical testing of a VLP-based vaccine targeting a relevant human infectious disease.
This research was supported by the 2024-2.1.2-EKÖP-KDP New National Excellence program of the Ministry for Culture and Innovation from the source of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund.
kiss.benjamin@phd.semmelweis.hu
Semmelweis University
Prof. Benyó Zoltán

University

Semmelweis University

Supervisor

Zoltán Benyó

Publication of my abstract

I do not give consent to the publication of my abstract on the website of the congress.

phd.section.field

in doctoral studies after complex exam (PhD)

Kind

Szabad

Status

elfogadva

Accepted presentation method

poszter

Előadás fájl jóváhagyás

nem rendelkezett róla

Előadó

9145

Start

17:54

End

17:57