Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever vaccine development for people and dogs
Official title: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Vaccine Development
Funded at University of Missouri-Columbia · NIH-11387476 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A vaccine is being developed to prevent Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a tick-borne disease that can be severe in people and dogs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $715,855 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI152417-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387476 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk of RMSF exposure, including people in tick-endemic areas and dog owners in regions where RMSF is common.
✕Less likely to help
People with RMSF at the time of infection would not benefit from a preventive vaccine research study.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a vaccine to prevent RMSF by testing different vaccine approaches, including subunit and whole-cell strategies, in collaboration with experts. The work involves preclinical development using animal models to study immune responses and protection against Rickettsia rickettsii. If successful, future steps could move toward trials in humans or companion animals to reduce disease transmission and illness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the vaccine could reduce RMSF illness and deaths in people and dogs and help curb spread from animal hosts.
How similar studies have gone: Previous vaccine approaches showed promise in early testing but require further development to demonstrate protection.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ganta, Roman R. — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Ganta, Roman R.
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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.