Understanding how immunity affects the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in communities
Official title: Immunological drivers of the transition from epidemicity to endemicity of SARS-CoV-2 in a high transmission LMIC setting
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11012853 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how people's immune systems, influenced by past infections and vaccines, help determine if COVID-19 will become a regular virus in communities, especially in urban slums in Brazil, to better protect everyone from future outbreaks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | February 21, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $723,680 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI174105-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11012853 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living in urban slum communities in Brazil who have experienced high rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living in regions with low transmission rates or those who have not been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the immune responses of populations, shaped by previous infections and vaccinations, influence the transition of SARS-CoV-2 from an epidemic to an endemic virus. By studying a cohort in an urban slum community in Brazil, the research aims to gather data on antibody levels and the effectiveness of different immune responses in preventing infections. The focus is on both systemic and mucosal immunity, which are crucial for understanding how to protect communities from future outbreaks. The findings could inform public health policies and strategies in low and middle-income countries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for managing SARS-CoV-2 and similar viruses, ultimately reducing infection rates and enhancing community health.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding immune responses to SARS-CoV-2, but this specific focus on low and middle-income countries is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ko, Albert Icksang — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Ko, Albert Icksang
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How COVID-19 infection and genes may influence memory and dementia risk
This study looks at how getting COVID-19 and a person’s genes together affect the chance of developing memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
-
Understanding flu and COVID-19 vaccine responses in people and in the lab
Researchers at Stanford explore how flu and COVID-19 vaccines work in people and in lab tests to improve protection for adults.
-
Oral small molecule inhibitors to block SARS-CoV-2 RNA replication
A Stanford-led project tests a pill that could stop SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses from copying their RNA inside infected cells.
-
Outpatient antiviral cocktails to fight SARS-CoV-2 and future RNA viruses
Researchers at Stanford are developing outpatient antiviral cocktails that could be used easily outside the hospital to treat COVID-19 and future RNA virus infections.
-
Inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 Proteases to Block Viral Replication
A patient-facing program aims to discover and optimize small molecules that block key SARS-CoV-2 enzymes, potentially reducing viral replication.
-
How different COVID-19 vaccines shape immune responses
This project compares immune reactions after mRNA and adenoviral COVID-19 vaccines to learn how long protection lasts and why some people get breakthrough infections or side effects.
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.