Robert A. Seder
How would you summarize what you currently do at NIAID?
The laboratory is divided into four major research areas related to vaccines and monoclonal antibodies: 1) malaria, 2) tuberculosis (TB), 3) tumors, and 4) COVID-19. We focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which vaccines and adjuvants mediate protective immunity in mouse and non-human primate models of malaria, TB, cancer, and SARS-CoV-2. A major long-term interest has been on how the quality of T-cell responses mediates protection against various infections and tumors. Moreover, we also focus on how the route of vaccination is critical for generating protective tissue-resident T-cell responses in pre-clinical models of malaria, TB, and cancer primarily focused on intravenous or aerosol delivery.
A key aspect of the lab is to translate the scientific findings into first-in-human clinical studies. I led the first human clinical study using intravenous vaccination to generate protective immunity with an attenuated malaria vaccine. More recently, based on our discovery of two very potent human monoclonal antibodies against malaria, we provided the first human data to show that these antibodies can provide high-level protection against intense seasonal transmission in Africa. These data have potentially important implications for using monoclonal antibodies to prevent malaria in infants, children, and pregnant women, and ultimately for eliminations.
During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, I helped lead the pre-clinical development of the Moderna mRNA vaccine, provided the scientific basis for B-cell imprinting following vaccination, and demonstrated the potency of how boosting could enhance immunity and protection against variants of concern. I was also a member of the federal partnership between HHS and the Department of Defense to facilitate and accelerate the development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
Recently, we have developed a personalized neoantigen nanoparticle cancer vaccine that induces protective immunity in therapeutic mouse cancer models of cancer. This concept, called “Vax-Innate,” uses intravenous administration to elicit protective CD8 T-cell immunity and remodel the tumor microenvironment through type I IFN. We are hoping to begin clinical trials soon.
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
I start my day at 6 a.m. by answering emails, planning experiments and discussions with whoever is up at that time, and then spend most of the day in meetings. I travel extensively, which includes many trips to Africa for my malaria work.
How long have you been at NIAID and what was your career path to arrive here?
I have been at NIH since 1989 (~ 33 years). I came to Bill Paul’s lab in 1989 after completing my residency in internal medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. During my postdoc, I focused on the factors that induced the generation of Th1 and Th2 responses and showed that these were regulated by IL-12 and IL-4, respectively. In 1994, I joined the Laboratory of Clinical Investigation as a tenure-track candidate, and in 2000, I moved to the Vaccine Research Center.
How would you describe the culture at NIAID?
The culture at NIAID is wonderful for scientific rigor and expertise across a wide range of areas. The most important feature of the Vaccine Research Center are the people. Most of the PI’s have been together for 20 years and there is an extraordinary culture of collaboration amongst all the people at the VRC. The VRC is an outstanding environment for scientific discovery, which can then lead to rapid product development and clinical testing. This extraordinary process can lead to approved vaccines and monoclonal antibodies for several important infections (SARS-CoV-2, RSV, Ebola) and potentially against flu, malaria, and others.
Are there any special or unique projects that you are working on?
Using monoclonal antibodies to prevent and eliminate malaria is a new approach for this important infection.
Using intravenous vaccination for TB or cancer vaccine therapy would also be novel.
What do you like about working at NIAID?
Everything—but it all is due to the incredible people that work here. It is always about the people.
What are your future career goals?
Prevent malaria and TB with antibodies and vaccines and develop better immune treatments for cancer.
Do you have any advice to offer others who might be considering working at NIAID?
Please come work here and experience the wonderful intellectual environment.