Federal Grant Award Summary

Thomas Jefferson University (operating as Sidney Kimmel Medical College) received a $813,921 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855). The award, obligated on February 19, 2026, with a completion date of January 31, 2031, supports a five-year investigative research project examining trained immunity mechanisms induced by messenger RNA-lipid nanoparticle (mRNA-LNP) vaccines and their potential transgenerational effects.

The research deliverables encompass comprehensive scientific investigation utilizing advanced molecular biology techniques including single-cell multiomics and spatial transcriptomics to identify genetic alterations in reproductive organs, white blood cells, and related tissues following mRNA-LNP exposure. The project will employ pathway analysis, cell-type-specific reporter models, and knock-out mouse models to elucidate key signaling pathways and molecular mediators underlying mRNA-LNP-induced genetic changes. Additionally, the research will characterize innate immune responses triggered by mRNA-LNP exposure, examine the transition from trained immunity to immune tolerance through in vitro restimulation assays, and assess functional consequences on monocytes, neutrophils, and overall innate immune system fitness, ultimately contributing to critical knowledge gaps regarding mRNA-LNP vaccine mechanisms and long-term health implications.