A vaccine to prevent syphilis by targeting the bacterium's outer membrane proteins
Official title: A Global Syphilis Vaccine Targeting Outer Membrane Proteins of Treponema pallidum
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11322149 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is developing a vaccine to help protect people worldwide—especially those at higher risk—from syphilis by teaching the immune system to recognize the bacterium's surface proteins.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | April 22, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,242,760 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI182179-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11322149 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for future vaccine trials would include sexually active adults and pregnant people in areas with high syphilis rates or anyone at increased risk of exposure.
✕Less likely to help
People with active untreated syphilis infection or those with medical reasons not to receive vaccines may not get direct benefit from this early-stage research.
What this research studies
Researchers at Duke University and the University of Connecticut are identifying outer membrane proteins on the syphilis bacterium that could make good vaccine targets. They will use computer analysis, lab techniques, and animal studies to pick the best proteins and produce monoclonal antibodies and vaccine candidates. The team aims to show these antibodies can recognize whole bacteria and protect animals, while also producing vaccine material under standards needed for human testing. If successful, this work will prepare a vaccine candidate for an initial phase 1 clinical trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A safe and effective syphilis vaccine could greatly reduce new infections and help prevent complications like congenital syphilis.
How similar studies have gone: No approved human syphilis vaccine exists yet; previous animal research has identified promising targets but human testing remains novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moody, Michael Anthony — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Moody, Michael Anthony
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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.