Virus-like particle vaccine to prevent genital chlamydia
Bacteriophage virus-like particle vaccines for Chlamydia trachomatis urogenital infection
This project aims to create a vaccine that teaches the body to make antibodies that block genital chlamydia infections and help protect people—especially women—from complications like pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258405 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, researchers are designing small pieces of chlamydia proteins and displaying them on harmless virus-like particles to teach the immune system what to attack. They will study which kinds of antibodies stop the bacteria from sticking to and entering reproductive cells and which antibodies prevent the damage that leads to infertility. Most testing will be done in the lab and in animal models first to find the best vaccine designs and antibody targets. The knowledge from these experiments will guide future vaccines that could be tested in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ultimately, sexually active adolescents and young adults—especially women of reproductive age at risk for chlamydia—would be the intended candidates for a preventive vaccine.
Not a fit: People who already have permanent reproductive tract scarring or infertility from past chlamydia infection would not regain lost function from a preventive vaccine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a preventive chlamydia vaccine that lowers infections and reduces long-term reproductive complications.
How similar studies have performed: Previous chlamydia vaccine efforts have had limited success, so using virus-like particles to focus antibody responses is a promising but still relatively untested approach in humans.
Where this research is happening
Albuquerque, United States
- University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr — Albuquerque, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Frietze, Kathryn M. — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Frietze, Kathryn M.
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.