Powerful antibodies that fight hepatitis C
Molecular and structural characterization of broadly neutralizing anti-HCV antibodies
Researchers are isolating and mapping powerful antibodies from people who naturally cleared hepatitis C to help design better vaccines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285228 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will collect blood from people who naturally cleared HCV (elite neutralizers) and from people with ongoing HCV to isolate the B cells that make HCV-specific antibodies. They will grow those antibodies, read the antibody genes to reconstruct how they developed, and use high-resolution methods to map exactly where antibodies bind the virus envelope proteins. By comparing antibodies and viral proteins from different people, researchers aim to identify the features that produce broad protection across many HCV strains. This lab work combines genetic sequencing and structural imaging to guide vaccine target design for future clinical testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people who cleared hepatitis C on their own and have broadly neutralizing antibodies, plus people with chronic HCV infection for comparison.
Not a fit: This project does not provide immediate treatment, so people needing current antiviral therapy are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets for a vaccine that protects people against many different strains of hepatitis C.
How similar studies have performed: Scientists have identified broadly neutralizing antibodies and used similar methods for other viruses, but reliably eliciting such antibodies with an HCV vaccine has not yet been achieved.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bailey, Justin Richard — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Bailey, Justin Richard
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.