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Broad-Based Spike Protein Stalk-Based Vaccine Platform for SARS-Co-V-2 and Other Coronaviruses

Principal Investigator: Gary Whittaker

Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Sponsor: NIH-National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Grant Number: 5R21AI166840-02
Title: Broad-Based Spike Protein Stalk-Based Vaccine Platform for SARS-Co-V-2 and Other Coronaviruses
Project Amount: $235,500
Project Period: September 2022 to August 2023

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant):

We propose to develop a subunit vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, using a structure-based approach targeting conserved and functionally essential domains in the stalk region of the viral spike protein. We expect our vaccine platform to be applicable and effective across a wide range of existing and emerging coronaviruses. As our system is based on expression in E. coli is it expected to be cost–effective, and our stalk-based approach is specifically designed to cover a range of distinct coronaviruses. However, it is important to note that our vaccine platform is highly flexible, with the antigen able to be re-engineered rapidly in the face of a novel coronavirus that may emerge, and for which the vaccine developed in this application is not effective.