Antibodies that protect against many flu strains
Sequence-function relationship of influenza broadly neutralizing antibodies
Scientists are looking at how certain antibodies can block many different flu viruses so future vaccines protect more people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11259458 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers would study antibody samples from people and use fast, high-throughput lab tests to see which antibody sequences can block many different flu viruses. They'll focus on antibodies that target the conserved 'stem' part of the flu virus's hemagglutinin protein, many of which come from a common gene called IGHV6-1. The team will map how small changes in antibody sequences affect their ability to neutralize both group 1 and group 2 influenza A viruses. These findings aim to guide vaccine designs that teach the immune system to make broadly protective antibodies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People willing to give a blood sample—especially those recently infected with influenza or recently vaccinated—would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment for flu symptoms or people with health issues unrelated to influenza are unlikely to get direct clinical benefit from this basic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help create vaccines that protect against many seasonal and pandemic flu strains.
How similar studies have performed: Researchers have previously found broadly neutralizing HA-stem antibodies in people and shown they neutralize many flu strains in the lab, but translating that into a universal vaccine remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Champaign, United States
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign — Champaign, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Nicholas C. — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Wu, Nicholas C.
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.