How broadly protective flu antibodies recognize many influenza strains
Sequence-function relationship of influenza broadly neutralizing antibodies
Learning how certain natural antibodies can recognize and neutralize many types of influenza to help guide a universal flu vaccine for people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11373849 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are mapping the sequence and binding features of broadly neutralizing influenza antibodies that people naturally make. They will use high-throughput experiments and molecular analyses to see how changes in antibody genes affect recognition of the flu hemagglutinin protein from many strains. The project focuses on antibodies encoded by the IGHV6-1 gene that can cross-react with both group 1 and group 2 influenza viruses. The results are meant to inform vaccine designs that teach the immune system to make these broadly protective antibodies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had influenza or who have received flu vaccines and are willing to donate blood or antibody samples would be the most relevant participants for related sample-collection efforts.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments for active influenza infection are unlikely to gain direct clinical benefit from this laboratory-focused research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help enable a universal influenza vaccine that offers broader protection against seasonal and pandemic flu strains.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies discovering hemagglutinin stem broadly neutralizing antibodies have shown promising cross-reactivity, and this project builds on that established but still translationally unproven foundation.
Where this research is happening
Champaign, United States
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign — Champaign, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Nicholas C. — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Wu, Nicholas C.
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.