Dennis L. Kasper, M.D. For more than four decades, Dr. Dennis Kasper has conducted research in microbiology, immunology, infectious diseases, and public health while discharging a broad range of administrative and educational responsibilities. His studies innovatively integrate microbiology, immunology, structural carbohydrate and lipid chemistry, biochemistry, and genetics.Dr. Kasper discovered and developed vaccines against group B Streptococcus (GBS), the foremost cause of serious neonatal bacterial infections. His laboratory elucidated the structure of all nine capsular polysaccharides and important surface proteins of this major neonatal pathogen. His group discovered that antibodies to the bacterial capsule are deficient in babies with GBS disease. Ultimately, Dr. Kasper work led to a highly immunogenic glycoconjugate vaccine, which is now in clinical trials; in a novel approach, pregnant women are immunized and then transplacentally transfer antibodies to protect the baby. Dr. Kasper defined much of what is known about the pathogenesis of GBS infection and developed an understanding of the polysaccharide conformational epitopes required for induction of protective antibodies. His group explored the physical/chemical parameters required in a conjugate vaccine for optimal immunogenicity and redefined the immunologic mechanisms by which conjugate vaccines stimulate the immune system.