Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

Mechanisms underlying combination adjuvant-driven improvement of influenza vaccine responses

Award Number: R01AI198137
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/03/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2031

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Mechanisms underlying combination adjuvant-driven improvement of influenza vaccine responses - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The use of adjuvants has been demonstrated to be highly effective in shaping the magnitude and composition of the immune responses generated during vaccination. As the use of each adjuvant elicits a different response that is typically not perfectly aligned with the immunity desired for a specific application, there has long been interest in using combinations of adjuvants. Theoretically, specific adjuvant mixtures could be used to tailor immune responses for maximum disease protection in different scenarios. The ability to realize this goal, however, has been limited by a lack of ability to predict the aggregate effects of combination adjuvant use. Indeed, while multiple combination adjuvants have been developed, and some show enhanced adjuvanting ability, the ability to drive specific desired responses with specific adjuvant mixtures remains elusive. We hypothesized that with an in-depth understanding of the responses induced by some of the most advanced commercially available adjuvants (some of which are already combinations themselves), we could develop a rational basis for generating novel combinations of adjuvants. Using an influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) protein as a model antigen, we performed these studies and found that while none of the adjuvants alone elicited an ideal response profile, many had compatible innate immune signatures and drove desired aspects of immunity that would be highly advantageous when combined. The major goal of this application is to define the outcomes, and underlying mechanisms, of the use of existing and novel combination adjuvants as it relates to driving immune responses directed against the influenza virus HA. In Aim 1, we will precisely define the innate immune signatures and the adaptive immune responses elicited by existing and new combination adjuvants. This work will allow not only for characterization of the outcomes of their adjuvanting activities, but also a test of our framework for selecting adjuvants for novel combinatorial use. In Aim 2, we will define the roles of type I, II, and III interferon signaling in the context of combination adjuvanted vaccines. These experiments will allow for an understanding of key mechanisms driving the improved responses seen after combination adjuvant use. Finally, in Aim 3, we will test how combination adjuvants function across genetically divergent immune systems with different propensities to generate desired immune responses. These studies will be critical to predict how genetically heterologous individuals will respond to specific adjuvant formulations. Together, completion of these studies will not only increase our basic understanding of how the immune system responds to combination adjuvants but also provide a basis for future practical development of adjuvant combinations.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $695,041 )
2026	2026	DUKE UNIVERSITY	2200 W MAIN ST	DURHAM	NC	27705	DURHAM	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	8/3/2026	NEW	$695,041
														Subtotal = $695,041

Grand Total All Awards = $695,041

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Mechanisms underlying combination adjuvant-driven improvement of influenza vaccine responses

Award Number: R01AI198137

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/03/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2031

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer