Analyzing immune responses to improve Zika virus vaccine design
Official title: Anti-flavivirus B cell response analysis to aid vaccine design
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11013412 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how your immune system reacts to the Zika virus to help create a safe and effective vaccine, and it may involve patients sharing samples or information to improve vaccine development.
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 start | February 6, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $748,034 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI175439-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11013412 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have been infected with the Zika virus or are at risk of infection, particularly those in areas where Zika is prevalent.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have no history of Zika virus exposure or live in regions where the virus is not present may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how the immune system responds to the Zika virus, which can cause serious health issues like Guillain-Barré syndrome. By studying the antibodies produced in response to the virus, the research aims to inform the design of a safe and effective vaccine. The approach involves analyzing the interactions between Zika virus proteins and the immune response to prevent complications that can arise from cross-reactivity with other viruses, such as dengue. Patients may be involved in providing samples or data to help refine vaccine strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of a safe and effective vaccine against Zika virus, reducing the risk of severe complications for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research on flavivirus vaccines has shown promise, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in vaccine development.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Yuxing — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Li, Yuxing
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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.