Improving methods to produce proteins for vaccines against C. difficile
Official title: CORE 2: Protein Expression and Purification Core
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11044216 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on improving ways to create and clean proteins that can help develop better vaccines against Clostridioides difficile, a germ that causes serious stomach problems, so that patients can have more effective protection against infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | March 3, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $234,502 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI174999-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11044216 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would be individuals at risk for C. difficile infections, such as those with weakened immune systems or recent antibiotic use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for C. difficile infections or those who have already been vaccinated against it may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the techniques for expressing and purifying proteins, specifically targeting antigens and antibodies related to Clostridioides difficile, a bacterium that can cause severe gastrointestinal issues. The Protein Expression and Purification Core aims to develop new vaccine candidates by optimizing subunit vaccines that avoid certain non-neutralizing epitopes. Patients may benefit from this research as it could lead to more effective vaccines against C. difficile, reducing the incidence of infections. The project involves collaboration across multiple research aims to validate and neutralize antibodies and antigens.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective vaccines against C. difficile infections.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in developing vaccines through similar protein expression and purification techniques, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spiller, Benjamin W — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Spiller, Benjamin W
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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.