Grant Award Details

Biomaterial vaccine to enhance the formation of SARS-CoV-2-specific T memory stem cells
Grant Type: 
Grant Number: 
DISC2COVID19-11838
Project Objective: 
  • To select a drug delivery platform that will boost T memory stem cells and enhance vaccine response against SARS-CoV-2 with the intention of helping to protect the elderly with declined immune responses.
Investigator: 
Name: 
Institution: 
Type: 
PI
Disease Focus: 
COVID-19
Infectious Disease
Human Stem Cell Use: 
Adult Stem Cell
Award Value: 
$149,916
Status: 
Active

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

  • 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.

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