Using modified RNA to improve COVID-19 vaccines
Official title: microRNA-controlled mRNA therapeutics
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11057570 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new types of RNA vaccines to boost your immune response against COVID-19 by figuring out the best ways to deliver them to the right cells in your body, which could make the vaccines work even better for you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $503,284 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK138025-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057570 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who are at risk for COVID-19 or those who may benefit from enhanced vaccination strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for COVID-19 or those who have already received effective vaccination may not receive additional benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing nucleoside modified RNA-based drugs, particularly RNA vaccines, to enhance the immune response against COVID-19. The approach involves delivering modRNA through lipid nanoparticles to specific cell types, which can influence how T cells are activated. By understanding which cells present the antigens and how they affect immune responses, the research aims to improve the effectiveness of these vaccines. The study also explores ways to target the delivery of modRNA to specific cells, potentially leading to better therapeutic outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective COVID-19 vaccines that provide stronger and more targeted immune responses.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success with similar approaches in RNA vaccine development, particularly in the context of COVID-19.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brown, Brian D — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Brown, Brian D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving Breast Cancer Guideline Adherence in Nigeria
Aimed at helping doctors in Nigeria follow international guideline-based breast cancer care to improve outcomes for women with breast cancer.
-
Genetically Validated PCOS Subtypes for Better Diagnosis and Risk Stratification
Aimed at women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), this project uses genetic data and patient characteristics to define distinct PCOS subtypes and improve how we diagnose and estimate risk.
-
Closed-loop control of interneuron timing to influence seizures and memory in epilepsy
A study tests a brain-quieting system that uses light to precisely time certain brain cells in epilepsy-prone mice to see if this can lessen seizures and improve memory.
-
Understanding why some brain regions and cells accumulate tau in Alzheimer’s and related diseases
Researchers are studying why certain brain areas and neuron types accumulate tau protein in Alzheimer’s and related conditions, and how this leads to brain changes and symptoms.
-
Improving blood flow after stroke by breaking down NETs
Aims to see if breaking down neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) after an ischemic stroke can improve blood flow and reduce brain injury in patients.
-
Aging and brain injury connection: learning how late-life TBI relates to Alzheimer’s and related dementias
This grant looks at whether traumatic brain injuries in people 65 and older are linked to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, using a large, harmonized set of long-term aging studies.
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.