Developing a universal vaccine to protect against influenza viruses
Novel Immunogens to Elicit Broadly Cross-reactive Antibodies That Target the Hemagglutinin Head Trimer Interface
This study is working on a new flu vaccine that aims to give you better and longer-lasting protection against different types of flu viruses by helping your body make stronger antibodies against a key part of the virus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10899568 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a new type of vaccine that aims to provide long-lasting protection against various strains of influenza viruses. It investigates how to elicit antibodies that specifically target a conserved region of the hemagglutinin protein on the virus, which is crucial for its ability to infect cells. By engineering immunogens that present this target epitope in a way that makes it more accessible to the immune system, the researchers hope to enhance the effectiveness of the vaccine. The approach involves advanced techniques such as computational protein modeling and high-throughput screening to identify the best candidates for inducing a strong immune response.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at risk of influenza infection, including those with compromised immune systems or chronic health conditions.
Not a fit: Patients who are not at risk for influenza or those who have already received a recent flu vaccine may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective and broadly protective influenza vaccine, reducing the incidence of flu and its complications.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in targeting similar conserved regions of the influenza virus, indicating that this approach may be viable.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Azoitei, Mihai Luchian — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Azoitei, Mihai Luchian
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.