iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr Danika Hill @precisionvaxlab.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

My lab is recruiting! To coincide with my relocation to WEHI in July, I’m recruiting for two Research Officer (Postdoc) positions. Both roles will be involved in advancing development of vaccines and therapeutics for Streptococcus pyogenes. Please spread the word! 📣 See 🧵for details 👇

154

Dr Danika Hill @precisionvaxlab.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

We found that Strep A infection induced sugar B cells to enter the Germinal centre where they became highly mutated. How were they doing this? By comparing to protein responses (SpyCEP) we found that sugar B cells had a molecular signature consistent with receiving reduced T cell help.

110

Dr Danika Hill @precisionvaxlab.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

By studying human blood, spleen and tonsils, including samples from a Strep A human challenge model, we show that sugar B cell responses shift from IgM towards IgG and IgA memory with age and antigen exposure.

110

Dr Danika Hill @precisionvaxlab.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

We asked - is this dogma correct when sugar-specific B cells could engulf whole bacteria? (that contain proteins for T cells to recognise). We focussed on Strep A, where the sugar (GAC) is a leading glycoconjugate vaccine candidate. Image: Natalia Korotkova

100

Dr Danika Hill @precisionvaxlab.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

New preprint alert 🚨 My team and I are pleased to share our most recent story about how bacterial pathogen (Streptococcus pyogenes, Strep A) exposure induces antibody responses against glycan and protein antigens. For paper: SSRN ssrn.com/abstract=519... biorxiv : doi: doi.org/10.1101/2025...

23210

Dr Danika Hill @precisionvaxlab.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

I’ll take this opportunity to announce that I’ll have multiple postdoc positions opening early next year. Come join us in Melbourne! 🇦🇺🐨🦘 If you’re interested in mucosal immunology, microbiology, parasitology, vaccine design or bioinformatics, get in touch ✉️! #ImmunoSky #MicroSky #IDSky

23319

Dr Danika Hill @precisionvaxlab.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Overall, we find that past exposure to this ubiquitous pathogen leaves a complex humoral imprint. There is MUCH more data in the paper for #Strep A enthusiasts. We are particularly excited about finding baseline antibody signatures that associate with susceptibility or resistance to pharyngitis.

170

Dr Danika Hill @precisionvaxlab.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

"But does a human challenge mimic a real infection?" I hear you ask. We need a #Strep A vaccine to work for kids. We found that the magnitude of antibody made in the human challenge was similar to what children make 1 month after natural pharyngitis.

120

Dr Danika Hill @precisionvaxlab.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

We found pharyngitis participants mounted serum IgG responses to key vaccine antigens and a muted mucosal IgA response. When we did see IgG responses, they were maintained for at least 3 months.

140

Dr Danika Hill @precisionvaxlab.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

In this model, healthy volunteers had bacteria applied to the pharynx and 19/25 went on to develop pharyngitis days later. We studied antibody responses in serum and saliva at 1wk and 1month post challenge, and most importantly, we could look at what immunity was present prior to infection.

120

Dr Danika Hill @precisionvaxlab.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

The new paper is about immune responses to Streptococcus pyogenes #StrepA, a bacteria that causes Strep throat, invasive infections, and in some people can cause an autoimmune disease, rheumatic fever, overall resulting in ~500,000 deaths/year globally. There is still no Strep A #vaccine. 💉

191

Dr Danika Hill @precisionvaxlab.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

🎉 I'm a #newPI , and I'm so excited to share our new paper out in Nature Comms today! 🧵 rdcu.be/d2gBV Quick intro for the new followers: I'm from Monash Uni in Melbourne, and we study T and B cell responses to viruses, bacteria & parasites with the goal of improving vaccines. #ImmunoSky #MicroSky

1713424