Improving nose and throat immunity against COVID-19 and flu
Project 2
This project tests whether adults who are vaccinated and then get infected make different and potentially stronger nasal/throat and blood immune responses to SARS‑CoV‑2 and influenza than vaccination or infection alone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11182585 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of ongoing adult cohorts where researchers collect nasal (mucosal) samples and blood from people with different histories of vaccination and infection. They will compare people who were vaccinated only, infected only, or infected after recent vaccination to see how antibody types, neutralizing activity, Fc effector functions, and T cell responses differ. The team will also use techniques like ATAC‑seq to study changes inside immune cells that might explain those differences. These comparisons aim to reveal how prior vaccination shapes mucosal and systemic immunity to SARS‑CoV‑2 and influenza.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older who have been vaccinated against COVID‑19 and/or recently had SARS‑CoV‑2 or influenza infection and who can provide nasal and blood samples would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People under 21, those unwilling or unable to give nasal or blood samples, or those with no relevant vaccination or infection history are unlikely to be eligible or directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help design vaccines or boosters that boost mucosal immunity and better prevent infection and transmission.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show mucosal antibodies and T cells can protect against respiratory viruses, but directly comparing infection-after-vaccination versus vaccination-only with detailed functional antibody and ATAC‑seq analyses is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Diamond, Michael S — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Diamond, Michael S
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.