Vaccinating birds to prevent dangerous flu viruses from spreading to humans
Official title: Indirect Prevention of High Path Flu Zoonosis through Universal Vaccination
Funded at Iowa State University · NIH-11124941 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new type of vaccine that could help protect both chickens and people from bird flu by using special chicken eggs and mealworms to deliver the vaccine, making it safer for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ames, United States) |
| Project start | June 25, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $186,946 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI180686-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124941 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in areas where avian influenza is prevalent or those who work closely with poultry.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have exposure to poultry or live in regions without avian influenza risks may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a universal mRNA vaccine for avian influenza to protect both poultry and humans from potential outbreaks. By vaccinating chicken eggs and using transgenic mealworms as vaccine delivery systems, the project aims to reduce the circulation of harmful flu strains in bird populations. The approach combines innovative vaccine technology with methods to ensure the vaccines remain effective in various environments. This could significantly lower the risk of zoonotic transmission of influenza viruses to humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a significant reduction in the risk of avian influenza outbreaks in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that vaccination strategies in animal populations can effectively reduce the transmission of zoonotic diseases, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa State University
Ames, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Verhoeven, David E — Iowa State University
- Study coordinator: Verhoeven, David E
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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.