One-dose DNA nanoparticle vaccines to protect against coronaviruses
Official title: Rapid, single-dose coronavirus vaccines via DNA-launched nanoparticles and genetic adjuvants for durable anti-coronavirus immunity
Funded at Wistar Institute · NIH-11389944 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project develops single-dose, DNA-launched nanoparticle vaccines designed to give strong, long-lasting protection against COVID-19 and related coronaviruses, especially for older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wistar Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $497,477 |
| NIH project number | 4P01AI165066-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389944 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for future human testing would include adults at risk for coronavirus infection and older adults whose immune protection may be weaker, particularly those willing to join early vaccine trials.
✕Less likely to help
People not at risk for coronavirus, those ineligible for vaccine trials, or individuals with specific contraindications to DNA-based vaccines may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers are designing synthetic DNA constructs that self-assemble into nanoparticles carrying coronavirus spike proteins and built-in genetic adjuvants to boost immune responses. They will test different nanoparticle designs in the lab and in animal models to find formulations that produce rapid, broad, and durable antibody and T‑cell responses. A key goal is to ensure these vaccines work well in older adults, who often have weaker responses to vaccination. Work is coordinated across multiple projects to compare these DNA-launched nanoparticles to more traditional vaccine approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could produce a fast-acting, long-lasting single-dose vaccine that better protects people — including the elderly — against current and future coronaviruses.
How similar studies have gone: Related nanoparticle and DNA vaccine strategies have produced strong immune responses in animal studies and some early human trials, but single-dose DNA-launched nanoparticle vaccines remain relatively new.
Where this research is happening
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Wistar Institute
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weiner, David B. — Wistar Institute
- Study coordinator: Weiner, David B.
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.