# Evaluation of iDMV-1.0: A Single Dose Self-Amplifying Vaccine for SARS-CoV-2

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE · 2022 · $110,871

## Abstract

The mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 proved unexpectedly efficacious, but also require a series of booster immunizations to remain protective. Global deployment of these vaccines has been slow, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), in part due to the logistical complications associated with multiple vaccinations. We therefore propose a new RNA vaccine design: a single-dose self-amplifying mRNA vaccine based on the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Our long-term goal is to develop of a novel vaccine modality that consists of an RNA vaccine that feasibly delivers durable humoral and cellular immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in a single dose. Our novel design, named iDMV-1.0, utilizes RNA encoding the coronavirus replication machinery in order to produce Spike mRNA within double membrane vesicles (DMV). iDMV-1.0, a 20 kB RNA derived from the SARS-CoV-2 genome, consists of NSP1-16 of SARS CoV-2, mutations to stabilize the prefusion conformation of Spike protein (19), ORF6-10, M protein, and N protein, GFP and Luciferase for detection, and all non-coding 5’ and 3’ sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Because iDMV-1.0 permits self-amplification of Spike mRNA, this lipid nanoparticles-encapsulated RNA vaccine exhibits increased protein expression in tissue culture systems as compared to single round mRNA controls. 
The objective of this grant is to assess iDMV-1.0 in preclinical studies in mice. In Aim 1, the humoral immune response to the vaccine will be studied by assessing epitope choice of iDMV-1.0 as compared to mRNA-1273 (Moderna SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine) using deep mutational scanning and traditional serology. We will assess durability of antigen expression and durability of humoral immune response for iDMV-1.0 as compared to conventional mRNA vaccination in mice. In Aim 2, the cellular immune response will be compared between both vaccine modalities to determine whether T cells specific to the SARS-CoV-2 proteome are generated by iDMV-1.0. Together, these studies will provide the foundation to understand durability and specificity of a potential single-shot SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine, providing a paradigm that may facilitate greater vaccine uptake, particularly in LMIC settings.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10808286
- **Project number:** 5P20GM125498-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** Devdoot Majumdar
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $110,871
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-03-13 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10808286

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10808286, Evaluation of iDMV-1.0: A Single Dose Self-Amplifying Vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 (5P20GM125498-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10808286. Licensed CC0.

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