NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Developing a flexible platform for creating vaccines

Official title: A Tunable Nanophage Platform for Vaccine Development

Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11136699 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is working on a new kind of vaccine that uses tiny particles to quickly create and test vaccines for diseases like COVID-19, aiming to give people faster access to safe and long-lasting protection against viruses.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Colorado Denver
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES)
Project startAugust 20, 2024
Project endJuly 31, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$726,000
NIH project number1R56AI186400-01
Project IDNIH-11136699 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for COVID-19 and other emerging viral infections, including those with compromised immune systems.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not at risk for viral infections or those who have already been vaccinated may not receive direct benefits from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating a new type of vaccine platform using engineered nanoparticles called nanophages. These nanophages can be quickly modified to display various antigens, allowing for rapid testing of potential vaccines against emerging infectious diseases like COVID-19 and other coronaviruses. The approach includes advanced techniques to ensure that the vaccine candidates are stable and effective, potentially leading to single-shot vaccines that provide long-lasting immunity. Patients may benefit from faster access to effective vaccines against current and future viral threats.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the rapid development of effective vaccines for COVID-19 and similar viral infections.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using nanoparticle platforms for vaccine development, indicating a potential for success with this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Colorado Denver
    Aurora, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Catalano, Carlos Enrique — University of Colorado Denver
  • Study coordinator: Catalano, Carlos Enrique

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.