Designing vaccines that protect against multiple dengue and related flaviviruses
Structure-based design of broad flavivirus immunogens
This project is making vaccine pieces to teach the immune system to protect people from different dengue virus types and related viruses like Zika.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144985 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using detailed 3D maps of viral proteins to design immunogens that focus antibody responses on protective sites and avoid regions that can worsen disease. They will engineer these protein constructs and test them in the lab and in preclinical models to see whether they produce broadly neutralizing antibodies. The team aims to reduce the risk of antibody-dependent enhancement, a problem where some antibodies can make dengue infections worse. Successful designs would guide safer, broader vaccines against dengue and related flaviviruses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for any future trials would be people living in dengue- or Zika-endemic areas or individuals at risk of flavivirus exposure who are willing to donate samples or join vaccine studies.
Not a fit: People not at risk for dengue or Zika exposure, or those seeking immediate treatment for acute infection, would not directly benefit from this preclinical vaccine design work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to vaccines that protect against multiple dengue types and lower the chance of severe disease caused by antibody-dependent enhancement.
How similar studies have performed: Existing dengue vaccines have had mixed results and safety concerns, but the discovery of broadly neutralizing antibodies supports this structure-guided vaccine approach, which is promising though not yet proven for dengue.
Where this research is happening
Bronx, United States
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Bronx, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lai, Jonathan R. — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Lai, Jonathan R.
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.