Broadly protective influenza vaccine using multivalent protein scaffolds
Official title: Engineering Protein Antigens and their Presentation from Multivalent Scaffolds
Funded at Georgia Institute of Technology · NIH-11394450 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to help protect against many influenza A viruses by designing a vaccine that focuses the immune system on a conserved part of the virus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $789,654 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI168408-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394450 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk of influenza exposure or those who would benefit from broader protection, once translated to clinical trials.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage, non-human model studies or vaccine platforms not yet tested in humans may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a vaccine that triggers antibodies against the shared stalk region of the flu virus, instead of the variable head. Researchers will use multivalent protein scaffolds to present the target antigen in a way that shapes the immune response. The work involves engineering antigen presentation and testing whether this approach can generate broad and lasting protection in preclinical models. If successful, it could lead to vaccines that reduce seasonal flu burden and pandemic risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to a universal flu vaccine that protects against many strains for longer periods.
How similar studies have gone: Other broadly neutralizing antibodies against the stalk region have shown promise in preclinical models, supporting continued development.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kane, Ravi S. — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Kane, Ravi S.
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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.