Faster, safer RNA vaccines for emerging viruses
Research Project 3: Rapid-Response Roadmap for RNA vaccines
This project is designing RNA vaccines that act faster, protect longer, and cause fewer side effects for people at risk from emerging viruses like coronaviruses, hantaviruses, and paramyxoviruses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180191 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will test different ways of delivering RNA so vaccine proteins are made and presented to the immune system in ways that boost useful antibody responses while reducing side effects. They will use prototype vaccine sequences for nairoviruses, hantaviruses, and paramyxoviruses to compare designs and dosing strategies. Experiments will include lab studies and animal models to find formulations that give broader and more durable protection. Promising candidates would be prepared for later testing in people at participating sites.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults at risk of exposure to emerging viral infections or volunteers who want to join future vaccine trials.
Not a fit: People looking for an immediate cure for an active infection or those not eligible for vaccine trials would not directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to RNA vaccines that protect more people for longer periods while producing fewer adverse reactions.
How similar studies have performed: mRNA vaccines were highly successful for COVID-19, but the specific tactics here to lower reactogenicity and widen durability across different virus families are relatively new and still being developed.
Where this research is happening
Bronx, United States
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Bronx, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Erasmus, Jesse Hong-Sae — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Erasmus, Jesse Hong-Sae
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.