Developing a new vaccine to prevent whooping cough in children
Official title: Carbohydrate based multi-component vaccine against Bordetella pertussis
Funded at Michigan State University · NIH-11110118 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project start | May 13, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $780,834 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI190348-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11110118 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old who are at risk for whooping cough.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Michigan State University
East Lansing, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Xuefei — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Huang, Xuefei
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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.