NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding flu and COVID-19 vaccine responses in people and in the lab

Official title: Understanding Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine responses, in vivo and in vitro

Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11591264 · Data updated 2026-11-12

Researchers at Stanford explore how flu and COVID-19 vaccines work in people and in lab tests to improve protection for adults.

More Influenza research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2003
Project endApril 30, 2029
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$1,795,320
NIH project number3U19AI057229-23S1
Project IDNIH-11591264 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults 21+ who may benefit from improved vaccines or immune response understanding, especially with conditions that affect immunity.

Less likely to help

Individuals unlikely to participate in or benefit from vaccine-focused translational studies.

What this research studies

This project looks at how vaccines for flu and SARS-CoV-2 perform in adults, especially those with higher health risks, by studying antibodies and immune responses. It combines patient-derived data with lab experiments to understand what makes vaccines work well or poorly and to test new antigen designs. The work includes advanced analyses of antibody features and immune signaling, with a focus on improving vaccine effectiveness and durability. The team aims to translate these insights into better vaccine strategies for real-world protection.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to more effective flu and COVID-19 vaccines and better protection for adults, including those with pre-existing conditions.

How similar studies have gone: Previous work on antibody structures and immune responses has informed improved vaccine design, supporting the potential for impactful advances here.

Where this research is happening

  • Stanford University
    Stanford, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Davis, Mark Morris — Stanford University
  • Study coordinator: Davis, Mark Morris

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.