Developing new treatments for schistosomiasis using nanobody technology
Official title: RNA encoded nanobody-based immunotherapeutics targeting essential, host-interactive schistosome ectoenzymes
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-10747442 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new treatment for schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasites, by creating tiny proteins that can help stop the parasites from making people sick, aiming to provide a better option for those affected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $206,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI173458-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10747442 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in endemic regions who are infected with schistosomiasis or at high risk of infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have schistosomiasis or are not at risk of infection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating innovative immunotherapeutics to combat schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasitic flatworms affecting millions worldwide. The approach involves generating nanobodies, which are small, effective binding agents, to target specific proteins on the surface of the schistosome parasites. By utilizing advances in RNA technology, these nanobodies can be delivered efficiently to inhibit the parasites' ability to infect their hosts. The goal is to develop a practical and potent treatment option for patients suffering from this debilitating disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new, effective treatment for schistosomiasis, improving health outcomes for millions of affected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of nanobodies in therapeutics is a novel approach, similar strategies targeting other parasitic infections have shown promise in preliminary studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Skelly, Patrick J — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Skelly, Patrick J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Diagnostics Core for Lyme disease testing and sample archiving
A centralized diagnostics core at a CLIA-certified lab provides standard Lyme disease tests and sample handling to support patient studies.
-
Clinical Coordination Core for Lyme disease and tickborne infections
A patient-facing core is coordinating care and enrollment for people with early Lyme disease and for antibody-based studies among groups at high risk of tick exposure.
-
Understanding why some people have ongoing symptoms after Lyme disease
A long-term study follows people diagnosed with acute Lyme disease to see who develops persistent symptoms and why, with care from a team of Lyme experts.
-
How bacteria talk to each other and what that means for infections
Researchers are studying how bacteria communicate and adapt in crowded environments like infections, with the goal of understanding what makes some bacteria more harmful or harder to treat.
-
Transdiagnostic therapy to improve mental health and TB treatment outcomes in India
A doctor-research team will test a flexible mental health therapy called CETA to help people with tuberculosis who also struggle with depression and unhealthy alcohol use, aiming to improve their TB treatment success.
-
Precision nutrition for personalized health in All of Us New England
A patient-focused program will study how different diets affect health in adults in the All of Us community, using real-world meals and controlled feeding sessions.
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.