Investigating why some pneumonia vaccines fail
Official title: Serogroup 19 capsule maleability leading to vaccine failure
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-10909341 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why some pneumonia vaccines don't always work as well as they should, especially against a bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how changes in the bacteria might help it avoid our immune system, so we can make better vaccines in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $222,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI178586-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10909341 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have experienced pneumonia infections despite being vaccinated or those at high risk for such infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have never been vaccinated against pneumonia or those with unrelated respiratory conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding why certain vaccines for pneumonia, specifically those targeting the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, sometimes fail to prevent infections. The team will explore how variations in the bacterial capsule, which is crucial for the bacteria's ability to evade the immune system, may contribute to these vaccine failures. By examining the genetic factors that influence capsule malleability, the researchers aim to uncover new insights that could improve vaccine effectiveness. This work involves analyzing different serotypes of the bacteria and their interactions with the immune response.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective pneumonia vaccines, reducing the incidence of vaccine failure and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding bacterial capsule variations can lead to improvements in vaccine design, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nahm, Moon H. — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Nahm, Moon H.
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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.