Developing vaccines for viruses transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes
Project 1: Vaccine Design Neurotropic Flaviviruses
This study is working on new vaccines to help protect people from serious diseases caused by viruses spread by ticks and mosquitoes, like West Nile and Zika, so that everyone can have better defense against these illnesses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10863002 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating vaccines to protect against neurotropic flaviviruses, which are transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes and can cause severe neurological diseases. The team will use innovative immunogen design strategies to develop and optimize vaccine candidates, specifically targeting the envelope glycoprotein of these viruses. By employing a modular approach, they aim to create vaccines that can be adapted for various emerging viral threats. Patients may benefit from enhanced protection against diseases like West Nile virus and Zika virus.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk of infection from neurotropic flaviviruses, particularly those living in areas where these viruses are prevalent.
Not a fit: Patients who are not at risk of exposure to tick- or mosquito-borne viruses may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective vaccines that significantly reduce the incidence of severe viral infections transmitted by arthropods.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in developing vaccines for similar viral infections, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmidt, Aaron Gregory — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Schmidt, Aaron Gregory
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 below.