Investigating how certain immune system boosters work together to improve vaccine effectiveness.
Official title: Mechanistic evaluation of mast cell agonists combined with TLR, NOD and STING agonists.
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11000790 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to make vaccines work better by mixing different immune boosters, and it's for anyone interested in improving vaccine effectiveness for stronger and longer-lasting protection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | January 3, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $612,133 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI167099-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11000790 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults or individuals with weakened immune systems who may benefit from improved vaccine responses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not immunocompromised or those who do not require vaccination may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of subunit vaccines by combining different immune system boosters, known as adjuvants. It specifically examines the role of mast cell agonists in conjunction with other immune stimulators like TLR, NOD-2, and STING agonists. By studying these combinations in both mice and human cells, the research aims to identify synergistic pairs that can elicit stronger immune responses. This could lead to vaccines that provide better protection and longer-lasting immunity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective vaccines that provide better protection against diseases, especially for vulnerable populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that combining different adjuvants can enhance vaccine efficacy, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ainslie, Kristy M — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Ainslie, Kristy M
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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.