Rapid coronavirus vaccines using DNA-launched nanoparticles and adjuvants
Official title: Rapid, single-dose coronavirus vaccines via DNA-launched nanoparticles and genetic adjuvants for durable anti-coronavirus immunity
Funded at Wistar Institute · NIH-11404995 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A fast, one-dose vaccine approach using DNA-delivered, self-assembling nanoparticles designed to protect against current and future coronaviruses, including in 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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $491,981 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AI165066-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404995 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include adults, especially older adults, who are at higher risk for severe coronavirus disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to coronavirus infection or those not eligible for vaccine studies would not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant explores a new vaccine design that uses DNA to build nanoparticles which present coronavirus spike proteins to the immune system. The goal is to create vaccines that work quickly and provide lasting immunity, even in elderly people who are at higher risk. The project builds on prior work showing stronger immune responses with these DNA-launched nanoparticles in HIV and influenza models, and applies it to coronaviruses. Researchers will characterize the immunogens and test their ability to induce durable humoral and cellular responses in preclinical systems, aiming for broad protection against SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to faster, longer-lasting vaccines that protect high-risk populations against current and emerging coronaviruses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed that DLNP vaccines can induce strong immune responses in other viruses, suggesting potential for coronaviruses but this is a novel application in this model.
Where this research is happening
-
Wistar Institute
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weiner, David B. — Wistar Institute
- Study coordinator: Weiner, David B.
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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.