An interview with Associate Professor S. Mark Tompkins

S. Mark Tompkins is an Associate Professor at the Center for Vaccines and Immunology at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, USA. Here he tells us more about his research into contemporary swine flu influenza viruses, and why understanding how vaccines work and monitoring their efficacy is important to microbiology.

Tell us more about your current role?

I am Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases at the Center for Vaccines and Immunology at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, USA. My laboratory studies seasonal, emerging, zoonotic and pandemic influenza viruses, exploring determinants of emergence and pathogenicity of zoonotic influenza viruses in animal models of infection, transmission, and disease. Collaboratively, we work to develop and assess the efficacy and mechanism of action of novel influenza vaccines, antiviral drugs, and therapies.

What does your current research focus on?

Our current studies focus on the risk assessment of contemporary swine influenza viruses. These viruses are endemic in North American swine farms and there are regular spillover events between swine and humans. Swine, like humans, are vaccinated against influenza virus, however vaccine efficacy is limited. We find that the swine influenza viruses replicate robustly in multiple animal models and can cause significant disease without adaptation.

Other collaborative studies include assessing the safety and efficacy of a novel, thermostabilized, dry powder, live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV). This vaccine is stable at room temperature and amenable for self-administration using a nasal delivery device. Using the ferret model of influenza vaccination and challenge, we have shown that the dry powder LAIV elicits broadly protective immunity influenza virus infection, providing an opportunity for a novel, broadly protective influenza vaccine. My laboratory is also very interested in co-infection and has established bacterial-viral co-infection models in ferrets for assessment of infection, transmission, disease, and vaccine efficacy.

Why does understanding how vaccines work matter to microbiology?

All of our research projects speak directly to the interrelatedness of microbiology and vaccines. Our research uses basic molecular biological, virological, and immunological approaches for virus risk assessment and the development of intervention strategies. Our work with emerging and zoonotic influenza viruses provides risk assessments which prioritise vaccine development as well as the tools to assess vaccine efficacy. This work also highlights the need for improved influenza vaccines for agricultural and public health as well as the need for novel strategies for prevention of infection and disease.

We rely on strong collaborations, working across microbiological disciplines for specific expertise, enabling innovation in the development of vaccines and other intervention strategies.