Understanding how influenza viruses change to evade the immune system
Official title: Dissecting the viral and host constraints that govern influenza virus antigenic evolution
Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-10993584 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the flu virus changes to avoid our immune system, which can help us understand how to make better vaccines for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $493,411 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI179910-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993584 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at high risk for influenza complications, such as the elderly, young children, and those with underlying health conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by influenza or those who have already developed strong immunity to the virus may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how seasonal influenza A viruses evolve to escape the immune response in humans. By examining the genetic and functional constraints that influence the virus's ability to mutate, the study aims to identify the specific pathways that these viruses take to resist vaccination efforts. The researchers will employ both laboratory experiments and animal models to explore these mechanisms, which could lead to better predictions of viral evolution and improved vaccine strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective influenza vaccines that better protect against evolving strains of the virus.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding viral evolution and its implications for vaccine development, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brooke, Christopher Byron — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Brooke, Christopher Byron
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Creating vaccines for influenza and other infectious diseases
This study is all about creating new vaccines to help protect people from the flu and other infections, so patients can look forward to better options for staying healthy.
-
Creating vaccines for human trials against influenza and other infectious diseases
This study is working on creating new vaccines to help protect people from flu and other infectious diseases, including those that could be used in harmful situations, so that everyone can have safer and more effective options to stay healthy.
-
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.
-
Surveillance and preparedness for flu and other respiratory pathogens in Kenya
A US-based research grant aims to improve how Kenya detects and prepares for influenza and other respiratory diseases to protect people there and global health.
-
Enhanced Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Targeting Shared and Variable Viral Antigens
A new DNA-based influenza vaccine approach aims to provide both precise protection against circulating strains and broader defense against unexpected strains.
-
How the immune system responds to flu shots and flu infection
This project looks at how adults' immune systems react after flu shots or when they catch the flu to find why some people get better protection than others.
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.