# Delivery of anti-bacterial glycan vaccines to cells and subcellular compartments

> **NIH NIH P01** · SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE · 2023 · $304,474

## Abstract

Project 3: Formulation and Delivery of Multifunctional Glycan Vaccines
Project Summary
 Virus-like particles (VLPs) are highly effective carriers of small-molecule structures that stimulate the
immune system’s response to such epitopes. VLPs have repetitive structures and package TLR-activating
RNA, are amenable to chemical and genetic modification, and are large enough to display different functional
molecules in a manner that allows them to effectively their cellular targets. Our laboratories have developed
Qb and PP7 capsid proteins for this purpose, learning the rules for effective glycan display to elicit the
production of affinity-matured antibodies. We now seek to go beyond the limitations of previous designs by
engaging various mechanisms of antigen presenting cell uptake, processing, and presentation, and by
delivering VLP-based vaccines over extended periods of time to take advantage of feedback amplification of
germinal center maturation by continuous antigen exposure. Exploratory studies will use a representative
Staph. aureus trisaccharide conjugated to a robust class II peptide as the displayed unit, arraying this motif
on VLPs engineered to simultaneously present ligands for DC-SIGN, Fcg receptors, or complement receptors
known to enhance B cell response to peptide immunogens. We will also explore the recruitment of immune
cells by the display of the natural antigen rhamnose as well as the release of glycopeptide or stimulatory
molecules carried in the interior of the VLP. Simultaneously, we will develop and test a new class of
degradable hydrogel materials that can be programmed to release vaccines over different periods of time.
The outcome of this ambitious program should be a highly optimized and modular vaccine delivery platform
that will be immediately applied to the generation of high-affinity antibodies against drug-resistant bacterial
pathogens that pose immediate and long term threats to human health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10549647
- **Project number:** 1P01AI172525-01
- **Recipient organization:** SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE
- **Principal Investigator:** M.G. Finn
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $304,474
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-05-09 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10549647

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10549647, Delivery of anti-bacterial glycan vaccines to cells and subcellular compartments (1P01AI172525-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10549647. Licensed CC0.

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