Prepare a formal report of your findings from the MVx1 vaccine study using the data obtained in Practical 4, Parts 1 & 2 (i.e. the quantitative ELISA and blood smears).

Prepare a formal report of your findings from the MVx1 vaccine study using the data obtained in Practical 4, Parts 1 & 2 (i.e. the quantitative ELISA and blood smears).The final report will be formally structured and consist of a Descriptive Title and a summary of the Aims, Brief Introduction, Methods and Results with presentation of any relevant Data (e.g. tables and figures, including standard curves) obtained. Additionally, you will be required to discuss your findings in relation to specific questions relating to the learning objectives for each practical component. The report should be clear but brief and limited to a maximum of 1,500 words excluding tables and figures. Structure your report as follows:

1) Descriptive Title – No more than 15 words communicating the scope of the study and report.

2) Aim/s – Summary of the main goals of the MVx1 study and the procedures you used in the practicals. What was the study trying to achieve, what were methods used for? Maximum 125 words (can be a mix of sentences and bullet points).

3) Brief Introduction – A brief outline of the problem addressed by the aims, with reference to key information the reader needs to know in order to understand the findings of the report. Explain the context of the study and any information relevant to the methods used and results obtained. Recommend <250 words.

4) Methods – A short summary of the study design and methods used with a focus on relevant specific details required to understand the data obtained and variables measured (e.g. what type of ELISA was used, etc). Recommend <250 words.

5) Results – Provide the following clearly labelled figures, tables:

a. An XY scatter plot of your standard curve created in Excel showing the blank-corrected mean absorbance values against the corresponding standard concentrations used. Include the standard deviation values for each mean. Make sure you include a line of best fit for your curve using the Add Trendlines under chart options in excel (NB#: the chosen line of best fit can be linear, 2nd order polynomial, or logarithmic or other but should represent the best fit for the respective curve) and include the equation and R2 value for your trendlines. Indicate where the mean absorbance of the positive control sample from the ELISA sits on the corresponding standard curve, and what the corresponding MSP1- specific titres (antibody concentrations in IU/mL) for this sample would be. #NB plotting the standard concentration on the Y-axis and absorbance on the X-axis will allow you to generate a formula in Excel to directly calculate concentrations from your sample absorbance values. This is perfectly acceptable for your report.

b. A table showing the MSP-1antigen-specific titres (IU/mL) for each of the 5 volunteers across their 3 vaccination time points based on the standard curve you generated. Indicate the immune status of each individual at each stage of vaccination, e.g. Negative (<1000 IU/mL); Partial (>1000 but <10,000 IU/mL); Protected (>10,000 IU/mL).

c. A table comparing the frequency of each leukocyte type in the blood smears from the 5 vaccine volunteers, calculated from the class counts, with that calculated by the automated analyser for each individual.

Briefly describe (recommend <500 words) your results from each figure and table, being sure to include in your description:

d. The relationship between absorbance and standard concentration and the goodness of fit of your trendline for your MSP1 data.

e. The overall trends in antibody titres after vaccine doses for each volunteer.

f. The pattern of white blood cell frequencies with each volunteer and the relationship with vaccine outcomes.

6. Discussion – Briefly discuss the following points with respect to your findings: g. Whether any person failed to achieve protective immunity after the vaccine series. h. What could cause this to happen and what should be done with these individuals. i. If there was anyone who may have been infected or previously exposed to MERS virus prior to vaccination and your reasons for thinking so. j. What immunological tests could be done to confirm/reject a suspicion of prior infection. k. The value of including a standard curve and positive control when performing diagnostic ELISAs. l. Whether the white blood cell counts indicated any underlying health issues and if this impacted on the vaccine response. m. Any issues that may have affected the accuracy of your findings. (recommend <500 words)

7. Bibliography – Provided a short bibliography for any sources referenced in the report. Limit your bibliography to no more than 7 references. The report should be clear and concise written in 12-point Times New Roman font with 1.5 spacing with 2 cm margins on all sides, and not exceed 7 pages, including title, figures and tables (Bibliography excluded). Referencing should be Vancouver style.