Understanding how certain viruses affect the brain and testing new vaccines
Project 3: Peribunyaviridae Pathogenesis and Vaccine Testing
This study is looking at how certain viruses can cause serious brain diseases and aims to find out how our immune system responds to them, while also testing different types of vaccines to see how well they can protect us from these viruses and their effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10863344 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the pathogenesis of orthobunyaviruses, which can cause serious neurological diseases in humans. The project aims to identify the immune factors and receptors involved in these infections, which could lead to new therapeutic strategies. Researchers will also validate various vaccine approaches, including protein-adjuvant and mRNA vaccines, to determine their effectiveness in preventing both immediate and long-term effects of the viruses. By understanding how these viruses enter the central nervous system and how vaccines can protect against them, the study seeks to improve public health responses to emerging viral threats.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals at risk of infection from orthobunyaviruses, particularly those living in areas where these viruses are prevalent.
Not a fit: Patients who are not at risk of exposure to orthobunyaviruses or those with existing neurological conditions unrelated to these viruses may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective vaccines that prevent serious neurological complications caused by orthobunyaviruses.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in developing vaccines for similar viral infections, indicating that this approach may yield beneficial results.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ronca, Shannon — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Ronca, Shannon
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.