AI-driven platform to predict vaccine-escape variants and design mutation-proof antibodies
Official title: AI-based platform for predicting emerging vaccine-escape variants and designing mutation-proof antibodies
Funded at University of Georgia · NIH-11555473 · Data updated 2026-11-12
An AI-powered approach aims to anticipate SARS-CoV-2 variants that may dodge vaccines and to create antibodies that stay effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $486,436 |
| NIH project number | 7R01AI164266-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11555473 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals at risk for COVID-19 who would benefit from improved vaccines or antibody therapies in the face of evolving variants.
✕Less likely to help
People who are unlikely to participate in or directly benefit from future vaccines or antibody programs may see limited personal benefit.
What this research studies
This project combines genomics, AI, and biophysics to forecast which future SARS-CoV-2 mutations could undermine vaccines or antibody therapies. It builds new mathematical tools and AI methods to improve predictions of how mutations affect infectivity and antibody disruption. The work also plans to design antibodies that remain effective against emergent variants, with testing guided by experimental data and population-level insights.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to vaccines and antibody treatments that stay effective against future variants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise in AI-assisted predictions of viral evolution and antibody escape, though forecasting remains challenging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Georgia
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wei, Guowei — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Wei, Guowei
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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.