Flu vaccine designs that target the HA and NA proteins
Official title: Project 3: Influenza Virus HA and NA Immunogen Design
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11468147 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Developing vaccine pieces that teach the immune system to recognize shared parts of flu viruses so more people can get broader protection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2011 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $375,000 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AI089618-14 |
| Project ID | NIH-11468147 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People at risk for influenza—such as young children, older adults, and those with chronic medical conditions—would be the likely candidates for future vaccine trials based on this work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with illnesses unrelated to influenza or those who cannot mount immune responses (severely immunocompromised) may not benefit from these vaccine designs.
What this research studies
Researchers are redesigning parts of the flu virus proteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) to focus immune responses on parts that stay the same across strains. They graft conserved sites onto different protein scaffolds and test how those engineered pieces shape antibody and T‑cell responses in the lab and in preclinical models. The team is comparing designs to see which produce broader and longer‑lasting immune responses across seasonal and potential pandemic strains. Successful designs would move toward human vaccine testing at clinical sites.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to vaccines that protect against many seasonal and pre‑pandemic flu strains and reduce the need for yearly reformulation.
How similar studies have gone: Related structure‑guided vaccine designs have shown promising results in laboratory and animal studies and some early human trials, but a truly universal flu vaccine has not yet been realized.
Where this research is happening
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Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmidt, Aaron Gregory — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Schmidt, Aaron Gregory
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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.