Lloyd H. Semprevivo

Adjunct Research Associate Professor

Phone: 413-545-5570
Fax: 413-577-3056
Email: semprevivo@vasci.umass.edu

B.A.: Portland State College (University), 1967, Portland, OR

Medical Technology School, 1966, U.S. Army, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX

Ph.D.: Rutgers University, 1975

Postdoctoral Training:
Department of Zoology and Bureau of Biological Research, Rutgers University.

Field of Specialization: Immunoparasitology

Research Interests Carbohydrate based vaccine development for parasitic worms, parasitic protozoa, and chlamydia: Pathogens are frequently encapsulated by surface coats composed of large complex carbohydrates (lipoglycans). It is the polysaccharide component of the lipoglycans that interfaces with elements of the host immune system and the unique physical and immunological properties of the polysaccharide that permit pathogens to avoid or delay immune elimination. My research involves isolation, chemical characterization, and modification of lipoglycan oligosaccharide subunits such that they gain capacity to induce in the vertebrate host strong specific T dependent type immune responses. Success is measured by the capacity of the induced immune response to protect vertebrate hosts against a virulent challenge. Pathogens of interest include (but are not limited to) Leishmania spp, Trichomonas vaginalis, Tritrichomonas foetus, liver flukes, Schistosoma spp, Echinococcus spp., and Chlamydia spp.

Demonstration of parasite lipoglycan expression on the surface of a living 6 day old lung stage Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula using the indirect fluorescent antibody procedure

RESEARCH AWARDS (recent)

Intervet International bv Contract, “Production, quality control testing, and identification of functional carbohydrate epitopes of Fasciola hepatica conjugate vaccine,” 10/01/02 - 9/30/04.

BioVerisCorporation SRA, “Synthesis and testing of Chlamydia GLXA-protein conjugate vaccine,” 1/1/05-6/30/07.

REPRESENTATIVE PUBLISHED PAPERS and ISSUED PATENTS

Semprevivo, L. H. 1988. An improved method for derivatizing reducing oligosaccharides using 2-(4-aminophenyl)ethylamine. Carbohydrate Res. 177, 222-227.

Semprevivo, L.H. 2002. Lipoglycan compositions and methods of treating parasitic infections. U.S. Patent #6,428,793 issued 8/6/02.

Semprevivo, L.H. 2006. Divisional Patent entitled Lipoglycan compositions and methods of treating parasitic infections (covers other helminths and protozoa with lipoglycan surface coats), U.S. Patent #7,063,848 B2 issued 6/30/06 .

Semprevivo, L.H. 2007. Divisional Patent entitled Lipoglycan compositions and methods of treating parasitic infections (covers anti-idiotype vaccine), U.S. Patent #7,204,983 B2 issued 4/17/07 .

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