Vanderbilt awarded up to $46M through ARPA-H to develop tools against alphaviruses

Vanderbilt University will receive up to $46 million in funding from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health to spearhead the development of a vaccine that could protect against all alphaviruses.

Jens Meiler (Photo via Humboldt Foundation/Elbmotion)

Jens Meiler, Distinguished Research Professor of Chemistry, was named the principal investigator for the project, in cooperation with 14 investigators across eight institutions. The team will work together to use advanced technology, including computational modeling, AI-driven predictions and structural biology, to develop a groundbreaking vaccine against all alphaviruses that offers long-lasting protection.

"This significant award illustrates Vanderbilt's dedication to collaborate across disciplines to make a positive global impact," said Timothy P. McNamara, Ginny and Conner Searcy Dean of the College of Arts and Science. "Jens and the team of accomplished researchers understand that we must tackle challenges from multiple perspectives to find the most effective solutions. Their innovative and interdisciplinary work will, ultimately, save lives."

What is an alphavirus?

Alphaviruses are a group of viruses transmitted by mosquitoes and other arthropods that can cause widespread disease outbreaks around the world, with chikungunya, eastern equine encephalitis and o'nyong-nyong as examples that infect humans. Chikungunya virus alone has infected millions of people since it was first reported in 1952.

Currently there are no approved vaccines or treatments for alphavirus infections. The Vanderbilt-led team hopes to change that by developing tools capable of protecting against all strains of alphaviruses.

Alphaviruses are divided into two groups. Arthritogenic viruses can cause fever, rash and joint pain, and encephalitic viruses can cause brain inflammation and other neurologic conditions.

This next-generation vaccine project will use innovative techniques to design immunogens that trigger strong and long-lasting immune responses. These approaches could provide critical protection against future outbreaks.

"This project embodies the essence of transformative research and innovation," said Padma Raghavan, vice provost for research and innovation and chief research officer. "By addressing the complex challenge of alphaviruses, Jens and his team are not only advancing on a solution but also redefining how we confront infectious diseases to pave the way for a more resilient future for all."

Collaboration is key

This effort highlights the critical role of collaboration between experts from various fields across Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and other leading biomedical institutions to create a vaccine that could significantly improve global health.

The work brings together specialists in virology, structural biology and clinical research to tackle the complex challenge of vaccine development.

"By bringing together so many different experts, we can accelerate innovation and find new ways to outsmart these viruses," Meiler said.

Meiler will lead the effort at Vanderbilt with key contributions from Cristina Martina, research assistant professor of chemistry, Kevin Schey, Stevenson Chair and professor of biochemistry, and Carie Fortenberry, program manager.

At VUMC, James Crowe, Ann Scott Carell Chair and University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Pediatrics, and Buddy Creech, Edie Carell Johnson Chair and professor of pediatrics, will contribute their expertise in virology, immunology and clinical trials.

Other collaborators include:

• Hamilton Bennett, Moderna
• Michael Diamond, Washington University in St. Louis
• Gaurav D. Gaiha, Massachusetts General Hospital
• Darrell Irvine, Scripps Research
• William Klimstra, University of Pittsburgh
• Torben Schiffner, Scripps Research
• Mark Slifka, Oregon Health & Science University
• Andrew Ward, Scripps Research
• Daniela Weiskopf, La Jolla Institute for Immunology
• Ian Wilson, Scripps Research

Innovation for global health

Development of a vaccine that can protect against all alphaviruses would mark a significant step forward in global health, especially for regions where outbreaks happen often.

The awarded funding will enable hiring of new team members, acquiring additional advanced equipment for structural characterization, and scaling up of vaccine development processes at Vanderbilt.

"This funding accelerates our ability to bring cutting-edge vaccine designs from the lab to clinical trials," Martina said. "We are thrilled to pursue this ambitious goal and look forward to the broader impact our work can have on global health initiatives."

The work being done at Vanderbilt and VUMC is not only important for preventing alphavirus infections, but the tools and methods developed could be modified to combat other infectious diseases, enhancing our ability to fight future pandemics.

ARPA-H is a federal agency created to support high-risk, high-reward research aimed at addressing critical health challenges. The program that awarded this funding to Vanderbilt, Antigens Predicted for Broad Viral Efficacy through Computational Experimentation (APECx), focuses on developing computational toolkits to design vaccines that target multiple viruses at the same time.

About Vanderbilt Research Development and Support and the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization

Research Development and Support and the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization, both within the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation, supported the application for this project by providing key resources and guidance throughout the proposal process.

RDS assists Vanderbilt researchers with a wide range of funding opportunities. They provide strategic guidance, proposal development resources, and help fostering collaborations across disciplines to pursue grants from federal agencies, foundations and industry partners. For more information about RDS's services, visit their webpage or email [email protected].

CTTC offers professional commercialization services for all intellectual property arising from Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center to generate revenue for future research and create a positive societal impact. They assist with invention disclosure, patenting, licensing, material transfer agreements, and support for new ventures based on Vanderbilt intellectual property. For more information about CTTC's services, visit their webpage or email [email protected].

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.