Christian Tjiam
Honorary Research Associate
BSc BMedSc(hons) PhD
christian.tjiam@thekids.org.au
Christian is an immunologist and post-doctoral scientist within the Vaccine Trials Group and Bacterial Respiratory Infectious Diseases Group. He is interested in the immunological mechanisms that underlie life-long immune memory and how it can be optimised in future vaccines, particularly against respiratory pathogens. Christian possesses expertise in the analysis of memory B cells and Fc-effector functions of antibodies. This includes designing high-parameter, antigen-specific, spectral flow cytometry methodology to track B cell responses to vaccines and pathogens at the single cell level, as well as assays for measuring the opsonophagocytic function of antibodies.
Prior to joining The Kids in 2021, Christian was conferred a PhD in Immunology (2020) from the University of Western Australia, under the supervision of Professor Martyn French and Dr Sonia Fernandez. Christian also previously held the position of Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting Specialist at Curtin University (2019-2021).
Projects
Temporal dynamics of B cell dysfunction and EBV responses in early multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an incurable condition where a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks their own brain and spinal cord.
Published research
The Platform Trial In COVID-19 priming and BOOsting : The immunogenicity, reactogenicity, and safety of licensed COVID-19 vaccinations administered as a second booster in BNT162b2
PICOBOO is a randomised, adaptive trial evaluating the immunogenicity, reactogenicity, and safety of COVID-19 booster strategies. Here, we present data for second boosters among individuals aged 18-<50 and 50-<70 years old primed with BNT162b2 until Day (D) 84.
The Platform trial In COVID-19 vaccine priming and BOOsting (PICOBOO) booster vaccination substudy protocol
Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in Australia commenced in February 2021. The first vaccines recommended for use were AZD1222 and BNT162b2, both delivered as a two-dose primary schedule. In the absence of sustained immunity following immunisation, recommendations for booster vaccination have followed. It is likely that periodic boosting will be necessary for at least some Australians, but it is unknown what the optimal booster vaccines and schedules are or for whom vaccination should be recommended.
Nasal Delivery of Haemophilus haemolyticus Is Safe, Reduces Influenza Severity, and Prevents Development of Otitis Media in Mice
Despite vaccination, influenza and otitis media (OM) remain leading causes of illness. We previously found that the human respiratory commensal Haemophilus haemolyticus prevents bacterial infection in vitro and that the related murine commensal Muribacter muris delays OM development in mice. The observation that M muris pretreatment reduced lung influenza titer and inflammation suggests that these bacteria could be exploited for protection against influenza/OM.
B cell epitope mapping: The journey to better vaccines and therapeutic antibodies
B-cell epitope mapping is an approach that can identify and characterise specific antigen binding sites of B-cell receptors and secreted antibodies. The ability to determine the antigenic clusters of amino acids bound by B-cell clones provides unprecedented detail that will aid in developing novel and effective vaccine targets and therapeutic antibodies for various diseases.
Education and Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science – The University of Western Australia
- Bachelor of Medical Science – The University of Western Australia
- Doctor of Philosophy – The University of Western Australia
Awards/Honours
- 2021 – The Family of George (Irakles) and Katina Kakulas Research Award (Inaugural recipient), The Kids Research Institute Australia.
- 2022 – Research Focus Area Collaboration Award – Early Environment, The Kids Research Institute Australia.
- 2023 – Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grant.
Active Collaborations
- Establishing an institute-accessible, full-spectrum flow cytometry protocol for the high-dimensional assessment of human B cells – Dr Tjiam is leading nine research groups in this project with members from Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Center, The Kids Cancer Centre, Perth Children’s Hospital the PNG Institute of Medical Research.
- Temporal dynamics of B cell dysfunction in early multiple sclerosis – Principal Investigator Dr Stephanie Trend, Perron Institute and The Kids Research Institute Australia
- MEDUSA: A Mix-and-rEad assay for rapid Detection of respiratory virUSes and bActeria – Principal Investigator Dr Patricia Agudelo-Romero, Wal-yan Respiratory Centre, The Kids Research Institute Australia