Developing a new test to evaluate tuberculosis vaccines using guinea pigs
Official title: Cross development of surrogate efficacy mycobacterial growth inhibition assay endpoint for the translational guinea pig model
Funded at Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-11090335 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well new tuberculosis vaccines work by testing them on guinea pigs, which are similar to humans in how they get the disease, and it uses a special lab test to see how well the immune system can fight off the bacteria, all while using existing blood samples to limit the need for more animal testing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | May 16, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $97,850 |
| NIH project number | 5R03AI180586-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11090335 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals involved in TB vaccine development or those interested in the efficacy of TB treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in TB vaccine research or do not have a vested interest in tuberculosis treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the evaluation of tuberculosis (TB) vaccines by using guinea pigs, which closely mimic human disease progression. The team aims to adopt a specific laboratory test, known as the mycobacterial growth inhibition assay (MGIA), to assess how well the immune cells from vaccinated guinea pigs can control TB bacteria. By utilizing existing blood samples from previous studies, the research seeks to reduce the need for additional animal testing while enhancing the efficiency of vaccine evaluation. This approach not only aims to provide better insights into vaccine efficacy but also aligns with ethical standards in animal research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective TB vaccines, ultimately improving treatment options for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully utilized similar assays in other animal models, indicating potential for success in this novel application with guinea pigs.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Coler, Rhea N — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Coler, Rhea N
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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.