Defining the antigenic and molecular determinants for Chlamydia vaccine-elicited protection

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial infection in the world and causes severe complications in women including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and an increased risk of malignancies. It is widely accepted that ending the CT epidemic and preventing its devastating consequences requires the design of an effective vaccine. The overall objective of this study is to determine the precise vaccine induced immune mechanisms needed for protection from infection and pathology and how to induce these responses using our novel vaccine candidates.