Zika antibody immunity after infection and vaccination in kids
Official title: Assessing epitope-specific antibody immunity to Zika following infection and vaccination
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11390029 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Kids aged 0-11 could benefit from better vaccines and immunity tests for Zika as scientists study how antibodies from infection or vaccination protect against the virus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 19, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $250,675 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI188389-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11390029 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children aged 0-11 who are part of Zika infection or vaccination studies, or who have accessible longitudinal samples.
✕Less likely to help
Children not enrolled in Zika-related studies or without available samples may not benefit from this specific work.
What this research studies
This project focuses on understanding the antibody responses to Zika in children who have been infected or vaccinated. Researchers will use a specialized assay to map which Zika parts most effectively trigger protective antibodies and how these responses relate to other related viruses like dengue. The work relies on samples from human studies and aims to lay the groundwork for larger trials and better vaccine designs. By clarifying how durable immunity is built, this research could guide future prevention strategies for young children. The study is conducted at Emory University in Atlanta with a team led by Dr. Matthew Collins.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to more reliable vaccines and better tests to measure protective immunity against Zika in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in Zika immunity has shown that certain antibody responses correlate with protection, but defining these markers in children is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Collins, Matthew — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Collins, Matthew
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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.