The Immunity to Streptococcus pyogenes Network
The Immunity to Streptococcus pyogenes () Network aims to determine the key requirements for a successful immune response to . Our subnetworks utilise natural infection studies and controlled human challenge models to map , guiding future vaccine development to prevent diseases like .
Our Subnetworks
Uniting global expertise to identify the correlates of protective immunity to Streptococcus pyogenes.
Uses natural infection and experiments of nature to dissect out what constitutes a protective immune response. By studying cohorts across the life course, we track the organic development of immunity following routine exposure to the pathogen.
- Natural infection & school transmission studies ()
- Sero-epidemiological data collection
- Natural correlates of protection
Uses human challenge and immunisation models to understand what makes a protective immune response. Through highly controlled human challenge models, we analyse the course of infection in real-time under ethically managed conditions.
- Controlled Human Infection Models ()
- Vaccine candidate track trials
- Preclinical immune tracking
Explore the iSpy Network
Navigate directly into our laboratory methodologies, interactive 3D collaboration globe, global clinical hubs, investigator teams, and scientific meetings.
Harmonised Assay Suite
Inspect our cross-network pipeline: PhIP-Seq, BAMA systems serology, ADI pan-proteome arrays, OPKA killing kinetics, single-cell CITE-seq, 3D tonsil organoids, and IEDB megapools.
Interactive 3D Synergy Globe
Rotate our interactive 3D globe to explore how iSpy-Lifers and iSpy-Explorers exchange clinical samples, reference strains, and immunological datasets across 11 countries.
Global Collaboration Atlas
Trace all 50 active bi-directional research streams connecting our 10 iSpy-LIFE hubs and 9 iSpy-EXPLORE hubs across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Australia, and the Pacific.
Investigators & Research Teams
Search the global directory of Principal Investigators, postdoctoral fellows, clinical trial teams, and participating research institutions driving the iSpy Network.
Meetings, Seminars & Podcast
View our London and Brisbane summits, listen to the featured Strep A podcast, and check the schedule for our bimonthly and monthly progress sessions (including Dr. Stephan Brouwer on 21 Oct).
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Browse peer-reviewed articles, clinical trial protocols, and systems immunology discoveries published by iSpy-LIFE and iSpy-EXPLORE investigators.
Methodologies for
Interrogating Streptococcus pyogenes
The iSpy Network applies a harmonised suite of cutting-edge laboratory methodologies to uncover the mechanics of protective immunity, leveraging both longitudinal natural infection studies and strictly controlled human challenge models.
Antibody & Serological Platforms
High-Resolution Serological Profiling
Using high-resolution and multiplex bead-based immunoassays, we map antibody repertoires following both natural infection and experimental vaccination. These platforms allow us to precisely quantify functional endpoints, such as antibody-induced opsonophagocytosis and killing ().
Quantitative Proteomic Discovery
By bridging structural biology with quantitative mass spectrometry, we identify conserved targets across the pathogen's pan-proteome. This granular data isolates protective epitopes from human antibody repertoires, directly informing the rational design of multivalent nanoparticle immunogens.
Methodologies and school transmission studies are supported by key partners, including to deploy bespoke, high-density antigen microarrays and the on longitudinal school cohort surveillance.
T Cell & Cellular Platforms
High-Dimensional Response Tracking
Through spectral flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing (), we profile both conventional and unconventional T cell populations. This deep phenotyping isolates the specific cellular signatures and activation markers that drive long-term protection against the pathogen.
Tonsil Organoid Systems
The mucosal barrier is the primary site of infection. By stimulating primary, donor-derived tonsil organoids with conserved S. pyogenes antigens, we recreate and study upper respiratory tract immunity exactly as it develops over the human lifespan.
Comprehensive Antigen Profiling
We systematically map T cell epitopes across hundreds of S. pyogenes proteins from diverse global strains. Leveraging resources like the , this comprehensive profiling targets immunodominant regions vital for broad, cross-protective vaccine coverage.