The structural and functional characterization of the antigenic domains on hepatitis C virus glycoprotein E2

This thesis investigated the development of a universal vaccine for hepatitis C virus. Both the viral components of the vaccine and the desired immune response were studied to understand how best to generate protective immunity. The three-dimensional structure of one such viral component was determined to better understand how antibodies block virus replication and the limitations to the generation of such antibodies. Finally, the thesis examined the antibody response in chronic HCV infection. These studies provide new insights into how best to engineer a vaccine to prevent hepatitis C infection.