Creating better vaccines for influenza B viruses
Development of broadly-protective vaccines for influenza B viruses
This project aims to create new influenza B vaccines that offer broader protection against different flu strains.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11129742 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Current influenza B vaccines need frequent updates and don't always protect against all circulating strains. This project focuses on developing new vaccine candidates that could protect against more types of flu B viruses. Researchers are creating modified versions of the flu B virus's main protein to trigger a wider immune response. They will also map out the different forms of this protein to better understand how to design these new vaccines. The most promising vaccine candidates will then be tested in animals to see how well they work.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who experience annual influenza B infections or are at high risk for severe flu complications could potentially benefit from future vaccines developed from this work.
Not a fit: Patients who do not get influenza B or are not candidates for vaccination would not directly benefit from this specific vaccine development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a 'universal' influenza B vaccine that requires less frequent updates and provides more comprehensive protection against the flu.
How similar studies have performed: While efforts for influenza A have shown promise, developing broadly protective vaccines for influenza B is a less explored and novel area.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kawaoka, Yoshihiro — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Kawaoka, Yoshihiro
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.