# Core 3: Non-human Primate Core

> **NIH NIH P01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $4,487,359

## Abstract

Abstract - Core 3
The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is the third major pathogenic outbreak caused by a betaCoV in the last two
decades. Development of panbetacoronavirus (panbetaCoV) vaccines for group 2b and group 2c beta CoVs is
a major priority of this P01. In addition, this P01 will evaluate alphavirus replicons, modified mRNA-lipid
nanoparticles and protein nanoparticles as panbetaCoV vaccine platforms. Nonhuman primates (NHPs) such
as cynomolgus or rhesus macaques have been shown by the NHP Core 3 team to be excellent models of SARS-
CoV-2 acquisition. NHPs are important components of vaccine design and testing as they have anatomical,
physiological and immunological similarities to humans. The NHP Core 3 will support the P01 by achieving the
following Specific Aims: Aim 1. Test the protectivecapacityof panbetaCoVneutralizing antibodyvaccines
using cynomolgus or rhesus monkeys as animal models. Down-selected B cell vaccines derived from
Projects 1, 2, 3 or 4 will be tested in NHP models. We hypothesize that macaques will be as excellent models
of bat or pangolin CoV acquisition as they are for human prototype group 2b CoVs (SARS-CoV-1 and 2) and
group 2c human virus, MERS. Aim 2. Test the protective capacity of panbetaCoV T cell basedvaccines
using cynomolgus or rhesus monkeys as animal models. CD8 T cell responses have been shown to be a
component of immune correlates of protection from SARS-CoV-2 in rhesus macaques. The hypothesis here is
that a T cell-targeted vaccine can synergize with B cell vaccines to improve protection with low neutralizing
antibody titers. Down-selected T cell vaccines derived from Project 4 will be tested in NHP models, whereT cell
responses will be assessed through a step-wise epitope-based approach using assays including IFN-γ-based
ELISpot, multi-parameter flow cytometry-based assays, and 10X genomics transcriptome analysis. Aim 3.
Monitor Vaccine Associated Enhancement of Disease (VAED) in macaques by panbetaCoV vaccines.
We will monitor vaccinated macaques for lung pathology and enhancedBAL cytokines and lung CoV PFU. Thus,
NHP Core 3 will be an integral component of this P01 and key to P01 success.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10327522
- **Project number:** 1P01AI158571-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Barton F. Haynes
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $4,487,359
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-16 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10327522

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10327522, Core 3: Non-human Primate Core (1P01AI158571-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10327522. Licensed CC0.

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