Developing mRNA vaccines for certain viral infections
Official title: Project 2: mRNA vaccine development against Bunyaviruses, Paramyxoviruses and Picornaviruses
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-10863343 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new mRNA vaccines to help protect people from certain viruses that could cause serious outbreaks, using a special method that makes it easier and faster to produce the vaccines, and they will test how well these vaccines work in animals before they are used in humans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $3,953,703 |
| NIH project number | 1U19AI181968-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10863343 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals at risk of exposure to these viruses or those living in areas prone to outbreaks.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for these specific viral infections or who have already been vaccinated against them may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating mRNA vaccines to protect against Bunyaviruses, Paramyxoviruses, and Picornaviruses, which have the potential to cause pandemics. The approach utilizes a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform that allows for rapid and scalable vaccine production without the need for complex infrastructure. By formulating multiple antigen-encoding mRNAs into a single vaccine, the goal is to generate strong and long-lasting immune responses. The effectiveness of these vaccines will be evaluated in animal models to ensure their protective capabilities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective vaccines that prevent future viral pandemics, ultimately saving lives and reducing healthcare burdens.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using mRNA technology for vaccine development, particularly in the context of COVID-19, indicating a potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pardi, Norbert — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Pardi, Norbert
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Retinal cell grafts to restore sight in AMD and RP
A patient-focused program aims to replace damaged retinal cells with organized, transplant-ready sheets created from stem cells to improve vision in age-related macular degeneration and related diseases.
-
Treg-based tolerance to dystrophin immune responses in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
A new grant aims to help people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy by teaching the immune system to tolerate the dystrophin treatment delivered by gene therapy.
-
Immune and NGF factors in Alzheimer’s for adults with Down syndrome
This grant studies why people with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer’s disease by looking at immune signals and nerve growth factor problems.
-
Promoting Heart Cell Maturation with Light-Activated Engineered Peptides
Aims to help grown heart cells from stem cells mature more like real adult heart tissue using special peptide coatings that respond to light.
-
Understanding how heart nerves affect dangerous heart rhythms after a heart attack
This NIH grant studies how changes in the heart’s nerve signaling after a heart attack lead to dangerous rhythm problems, with the goal of finding ways to prevent them.
-
All of Us Southern California Consortium supports broad participation in a national health data program
A national health data program in Southern California works to recruit and retain adults to share health information and participate in research that uses this data.
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.