Longer-lasting protection from flu and COVID vaccines
Project 1
This project looks at how adults' immune systems form lasting memory after influenza or COVID vaccinations to help make future vaccines work better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11182576 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will follow adults who receive seasonal influenza or SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and collect samples over time. They will take blood and, for some volunteers, draining lymph node and bone marrow samples to track immune cells. The team will use a stable isotope labeling method to follow germinal center activity and the development of long-lived B cells, T cells, and antibodies. The aim is to find what drives broader, more durable protection so vaccines can be improved.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) who are willing to receive influenza or SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and provide blood and, in some cases, lymph node or bone marrow samples are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People under 21, those not receiving these vaccines, or those unwilling/unable to provide invasive samples (lymph node or bone marrow) are unlikely to participate or see direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help design vaccines that provide broader and longer-lasting protection against influenza and COVID-19.
How similar studies have performed: Previous vaccine studies have improved antibody responses, but combining matched blood, lymph node, and bone marrow sampling with stable isotope labeling is relatively novel and aims to reveal new insights.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ellebedy, Ali Hassan — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Ellebedy, Ali Hassan
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.