Developing vaccines and antibody therapies for viral infections
Official title: Structural Biology Core
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-10863656 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on developing better vaccines and treatments for illnesses caused by certain viruses, and it's for anyone interested in how we can improve our defenses against these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $2,480,350 |
| NIH project number | 1U19AI181979-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10863656 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals at risk of infections caused by bunyaviruses and picornaviruses, particularly those in outbreak-prone regions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for these specific viral infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating effective vaccines and antibody treatments for diseases caused by bunyaviruses and picornaviruses, which are RNA viruses known for their potential to cause outbreaks. By utilizing advanced techniques in structural biology, computational biology, and biophysics, the team aims to understand how these viruses interact with the immune system at a molecular level. This involves studying the binding sites of antibodies to antigens, which can lead to the design of improved vaccines and therapies. The research will be conducted at two sites, leveraging their unique expertise to tackle different aspects of viral infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new vaccines and antibody therapies that protect against emerging viral threats.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing vaccines and therapies for viral infections using similar structural biology approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuhn, Richard J. — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Kuhn, Richard J.
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.