From bench to bushland ─ developing a koala chlamydia vaccine

In this Season 4 premiere of Speaking of Mol Bio, host Steve Lewis speaks with Dr. Nina Pollak from the University of the Sunshine Coast about the development of a single-dose vaccine aimed at protecting endangered koalas from Chlamydia pecorum. The disease is a major threat to koala populations across eastern Australia, contributing to infertility, blindness, and increased mortality. Pollak’s work focuses on optimizing the production and quality control of vaccine antigens while supporting regulatory approval and field trials that ultimately led to a conditional minor-use permit from Australia’s veterinary regulatory authority.

The vaccine relies on recombinant versions of the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) from three dominant chlamydial genotypes. Using standard molecular biology techniques, including gene cloning in E. coli, His-tag purification, SDS-PAGE verification, western blotting, and mass spectrometry, Pollak’s team produces and verifies these vaccine antigens before combining them with adjuvants to stimulate protective immune responses.

Beyond the science, the episode explores the challenges of conservation-focused vaccinology: field vaccination of wild animals, limited commercial incentives, and the importance of methods for monitoring disease prevalence. Pollak also reflects on the collaborative nature of the decade-long project and offers advice to young scientists pursuing difficult but meaningful research challenges.

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