Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded the University of California, San Diego a Project Grant totaling $804,705 under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), effective February 20, 2026, with a completion date of January 31, 2031. The research project investigates the mechanisms of vaccine interference induced by pre-existing anti-staphylococcal antibodies and B cells in response to Staphylococcus aureus (SA) vaccination. The research deliverables include scientific studies examining SA-induced pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and their relationship to humoral vaccine efficacy through antibody glycosylation patterns; investigations into how SA-induced B cells limit germinal center reactions and the intracellular signaling pathways controlling suppressive B cell development; and mechanistic analyses of pre-existing anti-SA antibody interference with vaccine responses.

The project addresses a critical public health gap, as no successful human vaccines currently exist for SA infection despite robust antibody responses following natural exposure. The research seeks to understand why pre-existing SA exposure compromises subsequent vaccine efficacy, with findings potentially advancing vaccine development strategies and improving therapeutic outcomes. The five-year research initiative is conducted at UC San Diego's La Jolla, California campus and supports the NIAID's mission to advance scientific knowledge of infectious disease mechanisms and develop effective vaccine interventions.