A universal Shigella vaccine using SAVE to protect people of all ages
Official title: A novel serotype independent protein nanoemulsion, SAVE, to prevent shigellosis
Funded at University of Missouri-Columbia · NIH-11464403 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new vaccine approach called SAVE aims to prevent Shigella-related dysentery across all ages, including children and adults, by targeting conserved bacterial components.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $698,983 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI197266-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11464403 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals at risk for Shigella exposure, such as children in LMICs and adults traveling to high-risk regions, who could participate in future clinical trials or vaccination programs.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with contraindications to vaccines or those not exposed to Shigella would not directly benefit from this vaccine development.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a novel vaccine platform (Self-Adjuvanting Vaccine Enabled formulation, SAVE) designed to protect against all Shigella serotypes. Researchers will test the vaccine’s ability to generate broad protection in preclinical models and plan for human studies, with the goal of reducing dysentery caused by antibiotic-resistant Shigella strains. The work emphasizes delivering durable immunity by targeting conserved protein antigens rather than serotype-specific components. If successful, this platform could lead to a broadly protective vaccine for use in LMICs and travelers. The study is led by Wendy L. Picking at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the vaccine could provide broad protection against Shigella dysentery for people of all ages, including vulnerable groups in LMICs and travelers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous vaccines targeting surface components of Shigella have been serotype-limited; this proposal aims for broader cross-serotype protection, with early preclinical data guiding progress.
Where this research is happening
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University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Picking, Wendy L. — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Picking, Wendy L.
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.