Investigating a mosquito protein as a potential vaccine against Chikungunya
Official title: The mosquito salivary protein AgBR1 as vaccine candidate against Chikungunya
Funded at L2 Diagnostics, LLC · NIH-11008726 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new vaccine to help protect people from Chikungunya, a virus spread by mosquitoes, by using a special protein from mosquito saliva that helps the virus spread, so they can better understand how to keep you safe from getting sick.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | L2 Diagnostics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | July 17, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $299,969 |
| NIH project number | 1R41AI186794-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11008726 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation would be adults over 21 years old who are at risk of exposure to Chikungunya.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of Chikungunya or those who have already been vaccinated against it may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a vaccine against Chikungunya, a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. The team is exploring a specific mosquito salivary protein, AgBR1, which has been found to enhance the transmission of the virus. By immunizing individuals with this protein, the researchers aim to provide protection against the Chikungunya virus. The approach involves understanding how this protein interacts with the virus and the immune system to develop an effective vaccine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new vaccine that protects against Chikungunya, reducing the incidence of this debilitating disease.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been limited success with existing vaccines, this approach using mosquito salivary proteins is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
L2 Diagnostics, LLC
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fikrig, Erol — L2 Diagnostics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Fikrig, Erol
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.