Creating vaccines to prevent severe diarrhea caused by rotavirus and E. coli
Official title: Development of rotavirus-based enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli dual vaccines
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10908655 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new vaccine that can help protect children from severe diarrhea caused by rotavirus and E. coli, and they're testing it in mice to see how well it works before it can be used in people who are at higher risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $155,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI173598-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10908655 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under the age of five who are at high risk for severe diarrhea caused by rotavirus and ETEC.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not children or those who have already been vaccinated against these pathogens may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing dual vaccines that target both rotavirus and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), which are significant causes of severe diarrhea and gastroenteritis, particularly in children. The researchers are utilizing advanced genetic techniques to create a vaccine that can stimulate the immune system to produce protective antibodies against these pathogens. By testing these vaccines in mouse models, they aim to understand how effectively they can reduce infections and improve health outcomes. The ultimate goal is to provide a safe and effective vaccine that can be used in populations at high risk of these infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a vaccine that significantly reduces the incidence of severe diarrhea in children, potentially saving thousands of lives each year.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing vaccines for rotavirus, but the dual approach targeting both rotavirus and ETEC is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ding, Siyuan — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Ding, Siyuan
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.