Oral mucosal vaccination using a new floss-based method
Official title: Floss: a novel method for oral mucosal vaccination
Funded at North Carolina State University Raleigh · NIH-11350990 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new floss-based approach aims to teach the immune system through the mouth to help protect against infections like HIV and flu.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Raleigh, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $566,734 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE033759-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11350990 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk for mucosal infections who could participate in future clinical testing or samples collection.
✕Less likely to help
People not involved in vaccine studies or with conditions that affect mucosal immunity may derive no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores delivering vaccines through the mouth’s buccal and sublingual surfaces to trigger both mucosal and systemic immunity. The researchers will develop and test a novel floss-based delivery method to improve vaccine uptake through the oral cavity. If successful, this could offer a painless alternative to injections and broaden protection to mucosal sites such as the respiratory and vaginal tracts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could make vaccines easier to administer and enhance protection at mucosal sites where infections often enter.
How similar studies have gone: Early work suggests mucosal vaccination is possible, but the floss-based oral route is a novel delivery method awaiting validation.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina State University Raleigh
Raleigh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gill, Harvinder Singh — North Carolina State University Raleigh
- Study coordinator: Gill, Harvinder Singh
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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.