Developing a vaccine to prevent Zika virus transmission from mother to fetus
Official title: A novel strategy for vaccine-induced protection against maternal-to-fetal transmission of Zika virus
Funded at La Jolla Institute for Immunology · NIH-11110465 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a vaccine to help protect unborn babies from the Zika virus when their mothers are infected, aiming to create strong immune responses that can keep both mom and baby safe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | La Jolla Institute for Immunology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | June 7, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $873,588 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI180196-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11110465 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant who are at risk of Zika virus exposure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or do not plan to become pregnant may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create a vaccine that effectively protects against the transmission of the Zika virus from pregnant women to their unborn children. The approach focuses on inducing strong immune responses, particularly from T cells, which are crucial for protection at the maternal-fetal interface. By using innovative replicon RNA vaccines in mouse models, the researchers will explore how to enhance both antibody and T cell responses to ensure robust protection against Zika virus infection. The ultimate goal is to provide a safe and effective vaccine that can prevent congenital Zika syndrome in newborns.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a vaccine that significantly reduces the risk of Zika virus transmission during pregnancy, protecting both mothers and their babies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing vaccines for Zika virus, but this specific approach focusing on T cell responses is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
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La Jolla Institute for Immunology
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shresta, Sujan — La Jolla Institute for Immunology
- Study coordinator: Shresta, Sujan
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.