# Coronavirus Challenge Core

> **NIH NIH P01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $1,441,507

## Abstract

Project Summary – Animal Challenge Core B
The Animal Challenge Core B will develop and provide key virus stocks for four different human
and animal coronaviruses (CoVs) that have pandemic potential. These viruses belong to the
subgenera of Sarbecovirus and Merbecovirus and will be used by the Core for challenge studies
in mice and Syrian hamsters to evaluate cross-protective efficacy of vaccines against diverse
betacoronaviruses. The virus stocks, generated by Core B, also will be used in virus neutralization
assays prior to challenge or after immunogenicity testing of vaccines in mice and hamsters. The
specific functions of Core B will include: (a) generating validated stocks of four different
betacoronaviruses including SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, SHC-014 and pangolin/MP789/2019;
(b) developing rodent models for bat coronaviruses; (c) Contributing to and performing pivotal
immunogenicity studies in mice and hamsters to quantify the B and T cell response to vaccination
with different vaccine candidates generated in Projects 1-3; (d) Performing virus challenge
studies with human and bat CoV in mice and hamsters immunized with candidate vaccines that
induce broadly reactive B- and T-cell responses to diverse betacoronaviruses. The results from
Core B will be used by the data management team in Core A to identify correlates of immune
cross-protection against betacoronaviruses of pandemic concern. These functons will enable the
PPG group to determine whether a candidate vaccine induces broadly protective immunity
against human and animal CoV. This Core B, led by Drs. Frieman and Boon, will meet the needs
of the PPG by acquiring and generating challenge viruses, developing animal models and
performing immunogenicity and vaccine challenges studies in established rodent models of
betacoronaviruses. These functions provide key infrastructure support for all research projects of
the PPG.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10420513
- **Project number:** 1P01AI168347-01
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Matthew Bryan Frieman
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $1,441,507
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-02 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10420513

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10420513, Coronavirus Challenge Core (1P01AI168347-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10420513. Licensed CC0.

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