Early Valley Fever proteins tied to infection and vaccine design
Early in vivo expressed antigens and their role in virulence, immune response, and vaccines for coccidioidomycosis
This project develops vaccine approaches using proteins that the Valley Fever fungus makes early in infection to protect people who live in or travel to affected areas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northern Arizona University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Flagstaff, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11393489 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are identifying which Coccidioides proteins appear soon after infection and how those proteins affect disease and the immune response. They are using laboratory immune tests and animal models to see which proteins trigger strong antibody and T-cell responses. The team is building DNA and mRNA vaccine candidates that deliver those early proteins inside cells to mimic infection without causing disease, and they will refine the best candidates for future human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who live, work, or frequently travel in Valley Fever–endemic regions and want protection from infection are the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People who never go to endemic areas or those with severe immune deficiencies that prevent vaccine responses may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce a safe vaccine that prevents Valley Fever or reduces severe illness.
How similar studies have performed: Live attenuated Valley Fever vaccines protected animals in preclinical studies and mRNA/DNA vaccines have worked well for other diseases, but human vaccine trials for Valley Fever are still limited.
Where this research is happening
Flagstaff, United States
- Northern Arizona University — Flagstaff, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fuller, Deborah H. — Northern Arizona University
- Study coordinator: Fuller, Deborah H.
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.