Modulation of immune responses - strategies for optimising vaccines.

Over decades, vaccination has considerably reduced the morbidity and mortality caused by infectious pathogens. Efficient vaccines conferring long-term protection have been developed despite a minimal understanding of the specific immunological mechanisms involved in this protection. Recent technological advances have provided valuable insights into host-pathogen interactions and considerably improved our knowledge of the effector and regulatory mechanisms behind the innate and adaptive immune responses. With the ability to initiate and manipulate immune responses, it is now possible to develop and optimise safe and effective vaccination strategies using a more rational approach.