NIH-funded research R21 grant

Identifying immune responses to human metapneumovirus

Official title: Discovery of human metapneumovirus epitopes

Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11272118 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how our immune system reacts to a virus called human metapneumovirus, which can cause breathing problems, and it's for anyone interested in how we might create better vaccines to protect against this virus.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Madison, United States)
Project startAugust 21, 2024
Project endJuly 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$174,938
NIH project number7R21AI180460-02
Project IDNIH-11272118 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with a history of respiratory infections or those with underlying health conditions such as asthma or COPD.

Less likely to help

Patients who have not been infected with human metapneumovirus or those without any respiratory issues may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how the immune system responds to human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a virus that causes respiratory infections. The team will identify specific parts of the virus that trigger T cell responses, which are crucial for fighting infections. By using specialized mice and human blood samples, they aim to discover which viral components are recognized by the immune system, which could help in developing effective vaccines. The research will involve screening various peptide pools to pinpoint the most relevant immune responses.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of safer and more effective vaccines against human metapneumovirus.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in identifying viral epitopes and their role in immune responses, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
    Madison, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Williams, John V. — University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Study coordinator: Williams, John V.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.