Developing a new vaccine to prevent whooping cough in children

Carbohydrate based multi-component vaccine against Bordetella pertussis

NIH-funded research Michigan State University · NIH-11110118

This study is working on a new and better vaccine for whooping cough to help protect children from this serious illness, by using special ingredients that boost the immune system's response.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMichigan State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (East Lansing, United States)
Project IDNIH-11110118 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating a more effective vaccine against whooping cough, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which continues to affect children despite existing vaccines. The project involves synthesizing new carbohydrate-based antigens and combining them with a carrier to enhance the immune response. By studying how these new vaccine components activate the immune system, the researchers aim to improve protection against this serious respiratory infection. The work is being conducted by a team of experts in synthetic chemistry, microbiology, and vaccinology.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old who are at risk for whooping cough.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 11 years or those who have already been vaccinated with the current acellular pertussis vaccines may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective vaccine that significantly reduces the incidence of whooping cough in children.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in developing new vaccine strategies for other infectious diseases, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

East Lansing, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Airway infections
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.