Tracking Virus Changes for Better Vaccines and Outbreak Response
Real-time tracking of virus evolution for vaccine strain selection and epidemiological investigation
This project helps us understand how viruses like the flu and COVID-19 change over time to improve vaccines and respond quickly to outbreaks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11086668 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work uses genetic information from viruses to understand how they are evolving and spreading. By rapidly analyzing this data, we can make informed decisions to protect public health. The project develops tools like Nextstrain, which provides up-to-date analyses for many viruses, helping scientists and public health officials track their movement and changes. This information is crucial for selecting the right strains for vaccines and understanding how diseases spread during outbreaks.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project primarily benefits the general public by improving public health interventions, rather than recruiting specific patients for direct participation.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have or are not at risk for viral infectious diseases would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective vaccines and faster, more targeted responses to viral outbreaks, ultimately reducing the burden of infectious diseases on communities.
How similar studies have performed: The project has already developed a successful real-time analysis platform called Nextstrain, which is widely used for various pathogens.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bedford, Trevor Bc — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Bedford, Trevor Bc
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.