Nanoparticle vaccine to boost protection against avian (bird) flu
Official title: Protection and Immunity after Polyanhydride Nanoparticle Vaccination against Avian Influenza A Virus
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11225127 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A nanoparticle-based vaccine approach designed to create strong immune protection in the nose and lungs against avian (bird) influenza for people at risk of exposure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | November 14, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $686,436 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI168001-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11225127 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for future human testing would be people at higher risk of avian influenza exposure (for example poultry workers or travelers to affected regions) or volunteers eligible for vaccine trials.
✕Less likely to help
People currently infected with influenza or those with no risk of exposure are unlikely to gain immediate benefit from this preclinical work.
What this research studies
Researchers are developing a polyanhydride nanoparticle vaccine intended to induce immune cells that remain in the nasal passages and lungs to stop avian influenza early. The team delivers flu antigens with these nanoparticles and measures local antibody and T and B cell memory responses. Much of the work uses laboratory and animal models to test whether this approach produces broader and longer-lasting protection than current vaccines. The goal is to lay the groundwork for a vaccine that could protect people before or during future avian influenza threats.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to a broadly protective vaccine that prevents severe lung disease from avian influenza by building strong local immunity in the respiratory tract.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows that vaccines which create lung and nasal tissue-resident immune cells can protect against different flu strains in animal studies, while polyanhydride nanoparticle delivery is a newer strategy needing more testing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Legge, Kevin L — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Legge, Kevin L
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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.