A novel oral vaccine targeting T cell responses to overcome oral vaccine failure
NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
About This Grant
PROJECT SUMMARY This proposal aims to train a DVM-PhD student for a career as a clinician-scientist uniquely prepared to advance the fields of immunology and vaccine development. This project will develop the applicant’s skills in computational biology, in vivo modeling, T cell immunity, vaccine design, grant writing, mentorship, and clinical skills. Rotavirus remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality despite the availability of four attenuated live vaccines. These vaccines exhibit high efficacy in some populations but is much lower in others. Additionally, the safety of attenuated vaccines remains a concern. One cause of oral vaccine failure is environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), a subclinical condition defined by intestinal inflammation, increased mucosal permeability, and aberrant T cell signaling. To address the gap in vaccine efficacy and safety, next generation subunit vaccines and mucosal immune stimulating adjuvants are needed. We have developed a novel probiotic-based vaccine platform using the bacterium Lactobacillus acidophilus. Recombinant Lactobacillus acidophilus (rLA) represents a desirable vaccine delivery platform because it can be engineered to express viral antigens and adjuvants, engages with the mucosal immune system, survives the harsh intestinal tract, can be lyophilized, and delivered orally. T cells play key roles in antiviral immunity through direct cytotoxic killing of infected cells, orchestrating antibody-mediated immunity, and modulating the local immune system through the production of potent cytokines. However, little is known about T cell induction by rLA vaccines despite T cells being the most abundant immune cell in the human small intestine. These studies will determine how T cell immunity is induced by rLA-delivered model peptides and the effects of three novel adjuvant strategies on immune induction. T cells also play a role in the development of vaccine failure in EED, with a regulatory T cell population likely being the primary cause of oral vaccine failure. I hypothesize that rLA vaccines represent a potential tool to overcome EED-related vaccine failure because it induces antigen-specific Th1 immunity to LA- delivered antigens. These studies will utilize a murine model of EED wherein mice will be vaccinated with a novel rLA-based rotavirus vaccine expressing a protective rotavirus epitope and two immune-stimulating adjuvants to test the novel rLA vaccine in a relevant clinical state of vaccine failure. Immunity to the candidate rLA rotavirus vaccine will be compared to the gold standard attenuated rotavirus vaccine which exhibits limited efficacy in many neonates and infants. Antibody-mediated immunity, antigen-specific T cell immunity, and immune cell immunophenotyping will be performed to determine immunologic consequences of the candidate rLA rotavirus vaccine. Overall, these studies aim to improve the efficacy of an rLA-based vaccine platform through mechanistic studies of T cell immunity and in vivo studies using a relevant model of EED.
Grant Summary
A novel oral vaccine targeting T cell responses to overcome oral vaccine failure is a NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases grant providing up to $44K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2030-02-28 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
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Focus Areas
Eligibility
How to Apply
Up to $44K
2030-02-28
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for A novel oral vaccine targeting T cell responses to overcome oral vaccine failure from NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases before the deadline.
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A novel oral vaccine targeting T cell responses to overcome oral vaccine failure: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the A novel oral vaccine targeting T cell responses to overcome oral vaccine failure?
A novel oral vaccine targeting T cell responses to overcome oral vaccine failure is offered by NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the A novel oral vaccine targeting T cell responses to overcome oral vaccine failure provide?
A novel oral vaccine targeting T cell responses to overcome oral vaccine failure provides up to $44K per award from NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the A novel oral vaccine targeting T cell responses to overcome oral vaccine failure deadline?
Applications for A novel oral vaccine targeting T cell responses to overcome oral vaccine failure are due 2030-02-28 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the A novel oral vaccine targeting T cell responses to overcome oral vaccine failure?
To apply for A novel oral vaccine targeting T cell responses to overcome oral vaccine failure, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.