Discovering how sugars on bacteria can help the immune system fight infections
Official title: Carbohydrate epitope discovery via chemical synthesis
Funded at Scripps Research Institute, the · NIH-11082431 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how we can help the immune system learn to fight off certain harmful bacteria, like those that cause infections, by creating vaccines that teach it to recognize and attack these germs more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 9, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $192,027 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AI172525-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11082431 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals at risk for infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria or those with compromised immune systems.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for bacterial infections or those who do not have a compromised immune system may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how the human immune system can be trained to recognize and target specific bacteria that cause infections. By studying the sugars that bacteria use to evade immune responses, the researchers aim to develop vaccines that can instruct the immune system to produce highly specific antibodies against these pathogens. The project involves synthesizing small sections of these sugars and evaluating how well the immune system can respond to them, ultimately leading to better protection against dangerous bacteria like drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of effective vaccines that enhance the immune response against harmful bacterial infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using similar approaches to enhance immune responses against bacterial infections, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Scripps Research Institute, the
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Savage, Paul B — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Savage, Paul B
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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.