Vaccines for Emerging Tickborne Viral Diseases
Vaccines for Prevention of RG3 and RG4 Emerging Tickborne Viral Diseases
This project aims to create new vaccines to protect people from serious illnesses caused by ticks, like Powassan and Heartland viruses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Storrs NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Storrs-Mansfield, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11142480 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Tickborne illnesses are a growing concern worldwide, with ticks and the diseases they carry spreading to new areas due to environmental changes. Viruses like Powassan, Heartland, and others from Asia can cause severe conditions such as brain inflammation or hemorrhagic fever. Our team of experts is working to develop effective vaccines to help prevent these dangerous infections. This involves creating and testing new vaccine candidates to prepare for and combat these emerging health threats.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is focused on developing future preventative measures, so ideal candidates would be individuals at risk of exposure to emerging tickborne viruses once vaccines become available.
Not a fit: Patients already suffering from an active tickborne viral infection would not directly benefit from this preventative vaccine development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new vaccines that protect individuals from severe and potentially life-threatening tickborne viral diseases.
How similar studies have performed: While specific vaccines for these emerging threats are still needed, there is established expertise in vaccine development that informs this approach.
Where this research is happening
Storrs-Mansfield, United States
- University of Connecticut Storrs — Storrs-Mansfield, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Verardi, Paulo H — University of Connecticut Storrs
- Study coordinator: Verardi, Paulo H
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 below.