New hepatitis C vaccine proteins on nanoparticles
Novel HCV vaccine antigens and nanoparticles
['FUNDING_P01'] · SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE · NIH-11332406
This project will design improved hepatitis C vaccine proteins and nanoparticle carriers to help the immune system make broadly protective antibodies for people at risk of HCV.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_P01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11332406 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will use detailed 3D structures of the virus surface protein to redesign key neutralizing sites so they stay in the right shape. They will attach these redesigned antigens to artificial nanoparticles and test them in laboratory and animal experiments to see which designs trigger the best antibody responses. The team will also sequence B cells after immunization to track which broadly neutralizing antibodies are produced and refine designs accordingly. The work is mainly preclinical and performed at Scripps Research in La Jolla as part of a larger program.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants for future trials would be people at risk of hepatitis C exposure or healthy volunteers willing to join vaccine trials.
Not a fit: People already living with chronic hepatitis C or those with severe liver damage are unlikely to benefit directly from this early-stage preventive vaccine work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a preventive hepatitis C vaccine that lowers new infections and future liver disease.
How similar studies have performed: Structure-based antigen design and nanoparticle vaccines have shown promise for other viruses and researchers have identified broadly neutralizing antibodies to HCV, but a protective HCV vaccine has not yet been achieved.
Where this research is happening
LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES
- SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE — LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ZHU, JIANG — SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE
- Study coordinator: ZHU, JIANG
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.