The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded Yale University a $251,250 Project Grant (CFDA 93.855 - Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research) to develop an mRNA vaccine targeting Amblyomma ticks in order to prevent alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy caused by tick bites. The research will determine if acquired tick resistance (ATR) can be induced against the Amblyomma americanum tick, the first step towards a novel vaccine to prevent alpha-gal syndrome. The project will leverage previous findings showing ATR against the Ixodes scapularis tick can also provide resistance to A. americanum. The mRNA vaccine approach, utilizing lipid nanoparticles containing mRNAs for 19 I. scapularis salivary proteins or cement antigens, aims to induce ATR against A. americanum and reduce the production of alpha-gal antibodies that trigger the allergic response. This 2-year project runs from February 1, 2025 to January 31, 2027.
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