Creating strong antibodies to fight human cytomegalovirus
Official title: Engineering potent antibodies against human cytomegalovirus
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11045711 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating strong antibodies to fight the human cytomegalovirus (CMV), which can be especially harmful to newborns and people with weakened immune systems, with the hope of improving treatments for those affected by this virus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $219,127 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI181328-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045711 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include newborns and immunocompromised individuals who are at high risk for CMV-related complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by CMV or who have a strong immune response to the virus may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing potent antibodies against human cytomegalovirus (CMV), a virus that can cause serious health issues, especially in newborns and immunocompromised individuals. The approach involves understanding how CMV evades the immune system and designing antibodies that can effectively target the virus. By blocking the virus's ability to capture antibodies, the research aims to enhance the protective effects of these antibodies. Patients may benefit from improved treatments that could reduce the impact of CMV infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective therapies for preventing and treating infections caused by human cytomegalovirus.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing antibody therapies for viral infections, but this specific approach targeting CMV is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maynard, Jennifer a — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Maynard, Jennifer a
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.