Creating a vaccine to prevent congenital cytomegalovirus infections in newborns
Development of a universal DISC vaccine strategy against congenital cytomegalovirus
This study is exploring new vaccine options to help protect newborns from congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV), which can cause serious health problems, and it’s using guinea pigs to find the best way to keep babies safe from this virus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11049114 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a universal vaccine strategy to protect newborns from congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV), which can lead to serious health issues like hearing loss and cognitive impairment. The approach involves using a guinea pig model to test different vaccine strains that can effectively neutralize the virus and provide protection against multiple strains. By understanding how these vaccine candidates work, the researchers aim to create a vaccine that exceeds the natural immunity provided by previous infections. This could significantly improve health outcomes for infants at risk of cCMV.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are newborns and infants at risk of congenital cytomegalovirus infection.
Not a fit: Patients who are older children or adults, or those who are not at risk for cCMV, may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a vaccine that prevents congenital cytomegalovirus infections, reducing the incidence of hearing loss and cognitive impairment in newborns.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in developing vaccines for similar viral infections, but this specific approach using the guinea pig model is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
College Station, United States
- Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr — College Station, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcgregor, Alistair — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Mcgregor, Alistair
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.