Using nutrition to improve vaccine effectiveness
Official title: Harnessing nutrition to enhance vaccine responses
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11048545 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how eating fewer calories might help your body respond better to vaccines, especially for new viruses like COVID-19, and it hopes to find ways to improve vaccine effectiveness for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | November 18, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $631,977 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI182043-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11048545 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are receiving vaccines for emerging infectious diseases and are interested in nutritional interventions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not receiving vaccines or those with conditions that prevent them from undergoing caloric restriction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how nutritional strategies, specifically caloric restriction, can enhance the immune response to vaccines against emerging pathogens like SARS-CoV2 and others. By studying the molecular mechanisms and interactions involved, the research aims to uncover how caloric restriction can boost immunological memory and improve pathogen control. The findings could lead to new therapies that mimic the immune-enhancing effects of caloric restriction, potentially benefiting vaccine responses in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved vaccine responses and better protection against infectious diseases for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that caloric restriction can significantly enhance immune responses in animal models, indicating potential for success in human applications.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Collins, Nicholas — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Collins, Nicholas
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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.