Longer-lasting mRNA vaccines using circular RNA
Circularization of RNA to improve the durability of the vaccine immune response
This project tests whether circular RNA can help vaccines produce longer-lasting antibody protection against viruses like hantaviruses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Med Br Galveston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Galveston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11330568 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is developing vaccines that use circular RNA, a form of RNA that lasts longer in the body and triggers less innate immune shutdown than conventional mRNA. They will give circular RNA that makes hantavirus proteins and measure how long the antigen is present, how strong and durable antibody responses are, and whether germinal center responses improve. The work includes laboratory and animal experiments comparing circular RNA to standard mRNA vaccines and tracking immune cells and antibody levels over time. The goal is to see if prolonged antigen expression from circular RNA leads to more durable protection against Andes and Sin Nombre hantaviruses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults at risk of hantavirus exposure or people eligible for future vaccine trials seeking longer-lasting preventive protection.
Not a fit: People currently sick with an acute infection or those not at risk for hantaviruses are unlikely to benefit directly from this vaccine development work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to vaccines that need fewer booster shots and provide longer-lasting protection against dangerous viral infections.
How similar studies have performed: Traditional mRNA vaccines have proven effective for short-term protection in people, and early preclinical work suggests circular RNA can extend protein expression, but human clinical success with circular RNA is not yet established.
Where this research is happening
Galveston, United States
- University of Texas Med Br Galveston — Galveston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abbott, Robert Koehler — University of Texas Med Br Galveston
- Study coordinator: Abbott, Robert Koehler
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.