Creating a new vaccine to prevent infections from Acinetobacter baumannii
Official title: Synthesis and Evaluation of a Bivalent Glycoconjugate Vaccine for Prevention of Infection with Acinetobacter baumannii
Funded at Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge · NIH-10868168 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new vaccine to help your immune system fight off infections from a tough bacteria called Acinetobacter baumannii, which is becoming resistant to many treatments, and it will first be tested in mice before looking at how it could help people like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baton Rouge, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $234,586 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI182953-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10868168 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals at high risk for Acinetobacter baumannii infections, such as those with weakened immune systems or undergoing invasive medical procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for Acinetobacter baumannii infections or those who have already been infected may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a glycoconjugate vaccine aimed at triggering the immune system to protect against infections caused by the drug-resistant bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii. The approach involves synthesizing specific glycans from the bacteria's surface and attaching them to carrier proteins to enhance immune response. Initial tests will be conducted in mice to evaluate the vaccine's effectiveness before considering human applications. The ultimate goal is to create a vaccine that can provide broad protection against various strains of this pathogen.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to an effective vaccine that prevents serious infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii, particularly in vulnerable populations.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using glycoconjugate vaccines is established, the specific application to Acinetobacter baumannii is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ragains, Justin Robert — Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge
- Study coordinator: Ragains, Justin Robert
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.