Vaccine study in mice to protect against gonorrhea using a new OMV-based approach
Official title: Transgenic mouse models of disease to test an innovative OMV-based vaccine for protection against the pathogenic Neisseriae
Funded at Georgia State University · NIH-11593936 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are testing an OMV-based vaccine in mouse models to block Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection by targeting key bacterial proteins.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $300,744 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AI192648-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11593936 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk for gonorrhea infections, including sexually active adults, who would later be eligible for vaccine trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with existing hard-to-treat infections or those outside vaccine trial criteria may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports studies in transgenic mouse models to test a novel vaccine strategy against the human-specific pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The approach focuses on outer membrane transport proteins that are essential for the bacteria during infection and are targeted by antibodies to hinder growth and promote bacterial killing. By using OMV-based vaccines that present binding-defective forms of these proteins, the work aims to generate protective immune responses in vivo. The project includes creating and evaluating vaccine candidates for safety and efficacy in relevant animal models over several years. The ultimate goal is to move toward a vaccine option that could reduce gonorrhea infections and their complications in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this vaccine approach could reduce gonorrhea infections and prevent complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical models have shown that OMV-based vaccines can elicit protective antibodies against surface bacterial proteins, supporting further development.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia State University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cornelissen, Cynthia N — Georgia State University
- Study coordinator: Cornelissen, Cynthia N
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.