The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded a $230,000 Project Grant under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) to the Scripps Research Institute. The purpose of this 2-year award is to evaluate recently discovered neuraminidase broadly neutralizing antibodies (NA-BnAbs) for their potential to serve as targets for developing a universal influenza vaccine using a germline targeting approach. The research aims to characterize the structural and functional properties of these NA-BnAbs, as well as employ mammalian display directed evolution to design NA immunogens that can engage diverse NA-BnAb precursors. If successful, this work could open up a new pathway towards a universal flu vaccine by priming rare B cells capable of generating broadly neutralizing antibodies.
Generated 3/4/25, 5:25 AM