A universal flu vaccine using improved adjuvants and adenovirus delivery
Combining innovative molecular adjuvanting approaches with novel adenoviral vector delivery to generate a universal influenza vaccine
This project aims to create a flu vaccine that protects against many seasonal and pandemic strains for people who want broader, longer-lasting protection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124226 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are combining molecular adjuvants (substances that boost immune responses) with a viral delivery system called an adenoviral vector to teach the immune system to recognize several parts of the flu virus. The team is focusing on conserved pieces of the virus, like the stalk of hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, and internal proteins, so the vaccine could work across different strains. Early lab and animal work has identified promising antigen designs and methods to encode multiple antigens in one vaccine. If developed further, the approach could move into human testing at the University of Maryland Baltimore.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who want broader flu protection—especially older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and others at higher risk for severe influenza—would be the likely candidates for future trials of this vaccine.
Not a fit: People with severe immune system disorders or known allergies to adenoviral vectors or vaccine components might not benefit or may be ineligible for participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide broader and longer-lasting protection against many flu strains and reduce the need for yearly vaccine updates.
How similar studies have performed: Adenoviral vectors and conserved-flu-antigen approaches have shown promise in animal studies and early-stage human work, but a truly universal influenza vaccine has not yet been achieved.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Coughlan, Lynda — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Coughlan, Lynda
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.