Iván Bontempi

Dr
Iván
Bontempi

Research assistant
Faculty of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences, Universidad Nacional del Litoral
Email 
iabontempi [at] gmail.com
Biography
I earned my degree in Biotechnology from the Faculty of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences at the National University of the Littoral (Universidad Nacional del Litoral, UNL) in Santa Fe, Argentina. My doctoral research focused on Trypanosoma cruzi vaccines, and I was awarded my PhD in Biological Sciences from UNL in 2015. The project involved evaluating various antigens using new generation adjuvants within a subunit vaccine framework. Subsequently, I conducted a postdoctoral research project in collaboration with the Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil, centered around the BCG vaccine. Starting from 2018, I embarked on a research career, concentrating on African Animal Trypanosomiasis in cattle. My work entails the development of ELISA and lateral flow serological assays for diagnosing Trypanosoma vivax infections. Concurrently, my team and I are investigating diverse vaccine formulations within a subunit vaccine platform, utilizing a murine model to simulate Trypanosoma vivax infections.
Research interests
My research interests lie in the advancement of vaccines targeting parasites that cause substantial economic losses in developing nations. Our objective is to employ approved platforms and adjuvants that are economically viable, with the aim of delivering a feasible vaccine to the market.
Projects you're working on
I am currently engaged in research related to African Animal Trypanosomiasis in cattle. Our focus involves the assessment of various vaccine formulations within a subunit vaccine platform. We are evaluating these formulations using murine models of infection with Trypanosma vivax, assessing aspects such as survival rates and parasitemia. Furthermore, we are investigating the regulatory immune response to T. vivax infection and comparing it with the response to T. brucei infection. In addition, we are in the process of developing serological diagnostic methods for Trypanosoma vivax. In conclusion, these projects encompass a comprehensive analysis of African Animal Trypanosomiasis, ranging from vaccine development to immune response assessment and diagnostic tool creation.
Discipline
Challenge model development Challenge study design Epidemiology Immunology – B-cells Immunology – T-cells Molecular biology Parasitology Regulation
Host species
Cattle
Pathogen
ParasitesTrypanosoma
Stage of vaccine development
Adjuvants Antigen discovery and immunogen design Deployment Vaccine delivery