# Oklahoma C. difficile U19 Challenge Core

> **NIH NIH U19** · UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HLTH SCIENCES CTR · 2024 · $85,438

## Abstract

Project Summary (Challenge Core)
The central goal of the Oklahoma C. difficile U19 program is to advance a second-generation vaccine for C.
difficile by revealing mechanisms that limit protective vaccine-induced responses. In order to achieve these
goals, challenge experiments are required whereby relevant animal models are used to test vaccine efficacy.
Given that the U19 program has 3 distinct but complementary Research Projects and that synergistic interaction
between those projects is desirable, standardization of the challenge experiments is a prudent and essential
measure. Towards, this goal, we will build upon our experience with murine and hamster challenge models to
develop a coordinated ‘Challenge Core’ which will provide a standardized service to each of the Research
Projects. In Specific Aim 1, a single infection murine challenge model will be further developed as a core service.
In Specific Aim 2, a repeat infection model will be further optimized and provided as a core service. In Specific
Aim 3, a hamster challenge model will be established and provided as a core service for promising vaccination
modalities. Importantly, all approaches are utilized currently by the Ballard and/or Lang laboratories, but will be
further developed to ensure standardization and experimental rigor with regard to environment, microbiome,
reagents, methods, and readouts. A dedicated core will also relieve the burden on individual projects and
facilitate rigorous experimentation. The core service will be made available to other investigators interested in C.
difficile research and will lower the barrier to setting up challenge experiments for specific projects.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10892822
- **Project number:** 5U19AI174994-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HLTH SCIENCES CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Jimmy D. Ballard
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $85,438
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-07-25 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10892822

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10892822, Oklahoma C. difficile U19 Challenge Core (5U19AI174994-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10892822. Licensed CC0.

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