NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Developing vaccines and antibodies for arenavirus infections

Official title: Vaccines and antibodies for arenaviruses

Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-10863663 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how to make better vaccines and antibodies to help protect people from arenaviruses, which can cause serious illnesses, and it’s for anyone interested in improving health and safety against these viruses.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVanderbilt University Medical Center
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Nashville, United States)
Project startAugust 20, 2024
Project endJuly 31, 2027
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$7,023,024
NIH project number1U19AI181979-01
Project IDNIH-10863663 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include individuals at risk of exposure to arenaviruses, such as healthcare workers or those living in endemic areas.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not at risk of arenavirus infections or those with existing immunity may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how to create effective vaccines and antibodies to protect against arenaviruses, which can cause severe diseases like hemorrhagic fever. The project will compare different vaccine technologies and study how the immune system responds to these vaccines using nonhuman primate models. By understanding how to induce strong immune responses, the research aims to develop long-lasting protective measures against various arenaviruses. Additionally, the study will explore the use of engineered antibodies that can provide extended protection for up to a year.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective vaccines and treatments that significantly reduce the risk of severe arenavirus infections in humans.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing vaccines for other viral infections, suggesting that similar approaches may be effective for arenaviruses.

Where this research is happening

  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Nashville, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Carnahan, Robert H — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  • Study coordinator: Carnahan, Robert H

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.