How T cells help vaccines give longer protection
The impact of T cell selection on vaccine durability
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · NIH-11174357
Researchers are looking at how people’s T cells respond to vaccines so immunity can last longer and handle new virus variants.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11174357 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project follows people’s immune T cells over time after vaccination to see which T cells stick around and respond well. Scientists collect blood samples and use lab tools that tag and sequence individual T cells so they can track the same cell families before and after vaccination. The team compares responses to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and a live attenuated yellow fever vaccine as a model of strong, long-lasting immunity. Findings will be used to understand why some T cells make durable memory and how vaccine design might encourage those responses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults willing to give blood samples over time who have received or plan to receive COVID-19 (mRNA) or yellow fever vaccines would be the ideal participants.
Not a fit: People who are not vaccinated, children, or those unable or unwilling to give repeat blood samples are unlikely to directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could guide vaccines that produce longer-lasting protection and better responses to viral variants.
How similar studies have performed: Related studies that track T cell clones have revealed important details about immune memory, but applying these methods to mRNA vaccine durability is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA — PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SU, LAURA — UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- Study coordinator: SU, LAURA
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.