Research Project - DC4

I am Déesse Tabet, from Lebanon, where I also completed my studies. I hold a Master’s degree in Biochemistry and a second Master’s in Functional Genomics and Proteomics. I will pursue a PhD within the VIVACE network. My project will evaluate the efficacy of commercial vaccines against avian influenza viruses under field conditions in Egypt, examining how vaccine performance is influenced by circulating viral lineages, contributing factors, and vaccine adjuvants. I will be based at SEVAB, Université de Toulouse, and at the CSEIV, NRC, Egypt, under the supervision of Pr. Christelle Camus, Pr. Siham Fellahi, and Dr. Rabeh El-Shesheny. Fun fact: I love traveling, discovering new cultures, and trying new foods.

DC4 — Evaluation of the efficacy of commercial vaccines against avian influenza viruses in field conditions in Egypt

DC4 evaluates how well commercial H5/H9 vaccines perform in Egyptian farms where endemic circulation and genetic drift complicate control. By sampling vaccinated flocks using different products, the project quantifies vaccine efficacy, cross-reactivity, and the influence of key factors such as maternally derived antibodies, antigenic match, and adjuvant choice.

Integrated analyses combine on-farm sampling workflows, lab characterization, and bioinformatics. With EMC training on antigenic cartography and collaboration with DC1, DC4 aligns antigenic data from circulating strains with vaccine strain selection, producing field-grounded guidance to improve vaccination strategies in Egypt.