Biomaterial vaccine to enhance the formation of SARS-CoV-2-specific T memory stem cells
Grant Award Details
Grant Type:
Grant Number:
DISC2COVID19-11838
Investigator(s):
Disease Focus:
Human Stem Cell Use:
Award Value:
$149,916
Status:
Closed
Progress Reports
Reporting Period:
Year 1
Grant Application Details
Application Title:
Biomaterial vaccine to enhance the formation of SARS-CoV-2-specific T memory stem cells
Public Abstract:
Research Objective
The objective of this project is to develop an injectable biomaterial platform that can induce TMSCs and boost immunoactivation to vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, which will help protect elderly people.
Impact
This approach will boost T memory stem cell production to enhance immunization, and address the low/weak immunoresponses to vaccines, especially in the elderly and patients with immune deficiency.
Major Proposed Activities
The objective of this project is to develop an injectable biomaterial platform that can induce TMSCs and boost immunoactivation to vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, which will help protect elderly people.
Impact
This approach will boost T memory stem cell production to enhance immunization, and address the low/weak immunoresponses to vaccines, especially in the elderly and patients with immune deficiency.
Major Proposed Activities
- Fabricate artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs). (month 1 – month 3)
- Enhanced affinity and prolonged release of cytokines. (month 2 – month 4)
- Preparation and integration of biomaterial vaccine. (month 3– month 5)
- Engineer the fate and functions of murine and human T cells in vitro. (month 5 – month 8)
- Perform in vivo immunization assays. (month 8 – month 10)
- Study the formation of TMSCs in vivo. (month 9 – month 11)
Statement of Benefit to California:
Vaccine will be essential to stop the spread of COVID-19 in California and world wide. However, vaccine may not be effective enough for the people who need them most: elderly population who have declined immunue responses to vaccines. The biomaterial-based vaccine proposed here will boost the effectiveness of the vaccination for the elderly people and patients with other diseases, and will help fight COVID-19 virus, flus and other infectious diseases.
Publications
- Biodes Manuf (2021): Application of lung microphysiological systems to COVID-19 modeling and drug discovery: a review. (PubMed: 34178414)
- Matter (2021): Biomaterial-based immunoengineering to fight COVID-19 and infectious diseases. (PubMed: 33723531)
- ACS Nano (2024): Harnessing Biomaterials to Amplify Immunity in Aged Mice through T Memory Stem Cells. (PubMed: 38381620)
