Improving the immune response to a virus that causes severe respiratory illness in children.
Structure-guided engineering to increase respiratory syncytial virus G protein immunogenicity
This study is working on a new vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can make young kids very sick, by finding ways to boost the immune response to the virus and testing how well these new proteins can help protect children from getting sick.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Cruz NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Cruz, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11080955 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is a leading cause of severe respiratory illness in young children. The team will use advanced structural studies to identify key parts of the virus's G protein that can trigger a strong immune response. By engineering these proteins to enhance their ability to stimulate immunity, the researchers aim to create a more effective vaccine. The project involves testing these engineered proteins to ensure they can produce protective antibodies and elicit a balanced immune response.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old, particularly those at high risk for severe RSV infections.
Not a fit: Patients who are older adults or those with existing severe respiratory conditions may not benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of a safe and effective vaccine against RSV, significantly reducing respiratory illnesses in children.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using structure-guided approaches to enhance vaccine efficacy, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Santa Cruz, United States
- University of California Santa Cruz — Santa Cruz, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dubois, Rebecca Michelle — University of California Santa Cruz
- Study coordinator: Dubois, Rebecca Michelle
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.