Mucosal nanoparticle vaccine to protect children’s airways
Official title: Novel Nanoparticle Respiratory Tract Mucosal Vaccine
Funded at University of Georgia · NIH-11398074 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A nanoparticle-based vaccine delivered to the respiratory tract is being studied to help protect kids from bacterial and viral lung infections, including tuberculosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $783,839 |
| NIH project number | 5R33AI169204-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398074 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children in the 0-11 year age range who could benefit from protective mucosal vaccination against respiratory infections.
✕Less likely to help
Children with specific contraindications to intranasal or aerosol vaccines or with certain immune disorders may not benefit.
What this research studies
This NIH grant explores a vaccine that targets the airway mucosa using nanoparticles and adjuvants to boost local immune defenses in children. It focuses on how the vaccine interacts with mucosal surfaces and the immune cells there to create protective responses, such as mucosal antibodies and T cell activity. The project uses animal models to study how the vaccine prompts early immune signals and recruits other protective cells, aiming to translate these findings toward safer, effective immunization for young patients. The approach considers delivering vaccines via aerosols to reach the airway lining and examines safety, immune activation, and potential protection against respiratory pathogens.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to a safe mucosal vaccine that helps prevent respiratory infections in young children.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies of mucosal vaccines show promise in enhancing local immunity, though this exact approach in humans remains exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Georgia
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quinn, Frederick D — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Quinn, Frederick D
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.