How immune responses shape COVID's shift to regular circulation
Immunological drivers of the transition from epidemicity to endemicity of SARS-CoV-2 in a high transmission LMIC setting
Researchers will compare different immune responses from infections and vaccines in people from a high-transmission community to see which types of immunity best prevent COVID infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285234 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work follows a long-term cohort living in an urban slum community in Brazil to see how repeated infections and vaccinations change immunity over time. Investigators will collect blood and mucosal samples and measure antibody levels, the range of viral targets antibodies recognize, and mucosal immune responses. They will link those laboratory findings to who became infected during different waves and to each person’s vaccine and infection history. The goal is to explain which immune features keep the virus circulating at lower levels so public health choices can be better tailored.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are residents of the long-standing urban slum cohort in Brazil who have had prior COVID infection or vaccination and are willing to provide blood and mucosal samples and participate in follow-up.
Not a fit: People who do not live in the studied community or who cannot provide samples or attend follow-up visits are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help design vaccination and public-health strategies that better prevent infections and future surges in similar communities.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows serum antibodies and mucosal immunity matter for protection, but using long-term data from a high-transmission community to compare antibody magnitude versus breadth and mucosal responses is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ko, Albert Icksang — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Ko, Albert Icksang
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.