Description:
This advanced course combines the capstone project in computational vaccine design with essential skills in scientific writing, presentation, and collaboration. Students will use computational tools like MOE, Schrödinger, GROMACS, IEDB, and VaxiJen to design a vaccine candidate for a chosen pathogen (e.g., influenza, SARS-CoV-2, or Zika virus). In parallel, they will learn to effectively present their findings, write scientific reports, and collaborate in interdisciplinary teams. By the end of the course, students will have completed a comprehensive vaccine design project and developed the skills needed to communicate their results professionally.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Design a vaccine candidate using reverse vaccinology, epitope mapping, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics.
Optimize the vaccine structure and design adjuvants to enhance efficacy.
Write clear, structured scientific papers and reports detailing their vaccine design process.
Develop and deliver effective scientific presentations to communicate their findings.
Collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary teams, using tools like GitHub for version control and Trello/Asana for project management.