Meiler Lab Team Awarded Up to $46M to Advance Vaccine Research Against Alphaviruses

Carie Fortenberry

Meiler Lab Team Awarded Up to $46M to Advance Vaccine Research Against Alphaviruses

Major funding from ARPA-H will support the development of a “super-vaccine” to protect against all Alphaviruses.

The Meiler Lab is leading a multi-institution team that was awarded up to $46 million in funding to drive forward groundbreaking vaccine research from ARPA-H’s Antigens Predicted for Broad Viral Efficacy through Computational Experimentation (APECx) program (see full announcement https://arpa-h.gov/news-and-events/arpa-h-announces-awards-develop-computational-platform-multi-virus-vaccine-design). This funding will support a consortium of 14 principal investigators (PIs) across eight institutions, enabling a collaborative effort to push the boundaries of vaccine development and create a revolutionary vaccine to protect against all alphaviruses, which include serious pathogens like Chikungunya and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

The awarded funds will fuel research aimed at developing next-generation vaccines that use cutting-edge computational techniques in epitope-focused immunogen design. By precisely targeting immune responses, these vaccines promise to generate immunogens that provide broader and longer-lasting protection against a wide range of viral strains with the ultimate goal of significantly improving global public health responses to future pandemics.

 

A Cutting-Edge Research Initiative

Led by Dr. Jens Meiler (lead PI), Dr. Cristina Elisa Martina (scientific point of contact), and Carie Fortenberry (administrative point of contract) at Vanderbilt University (VU), this innovative research project integrates state-of-the-art approaches like computational modeling, AI-driven predictions, and structural biology. The focus on glycan masking—strategically hiding viral elements that help the virus evade immune detection—while exposing key epitopes, aims to trigger robust immune responses. These approaches are designed to outsmart viruses’ ability to evade the immune system, providing stronger and more durable immunity.

“Our research tackles some of the most critical challenges in modern vaccine design. This funding empowers us to take significant steps toward creating next-generation vaccines that offer reliable, long-lasting protection against diverse strains within the same viral genus,” said Dr. Martina.

 

Collaboration and Innovation

This initiative brings together a highly multidisciplinary team of scientists, including experts in virology, structural biology, artificial intelligence, and clinical research. Key collaborators include:

  • James E. Crowe Jr., M.D. (Vanderbilt University Medical Center): Virology and immunology expert.
  • Buddy Creech, M.D., MPH (Vanderbilt University Medical Center): Clinical trials expert.
  • Andrew Ward, Ph.D., Ian Wilson, Ph.D., (Scripps Research), and Kevin Schey, Ph.D. (VU): Structural characterization experts.
  • Torben Schiffner, Ph.D., and Darrell Irvine, Ph.D., (Scripps Research): Vaccine development experts.
  • Gaurav D. Gaiha, M.D., Ph.D., (Massachusetts General Hospital) and Daniela Weiskopf, Ph.D., (La Jolla Institute for Immunology): T-cell immune response experts.
  • Michael Diamond, Ph.D., (University of Washington, St. Louis), William Klimstra, Ph.D., (University of Pittsburgh), and Mark Slifka, Ph.D., (Oregon Health & Science University): Alphavirus specialists.
  • Moderna, led by Hamilton Bennett, will contribute expertise in developing mRNA vaccines for clinical use.

“With this collaborative effort and the invaluable support of ARPA-H, we are uniquely positioned to drive innovation in vaccine development and ensure our findings translate into real-world clinical solutions,” added Dr. Meiler.

 

Significant Impact and Future Goals

The awarded funding will significantly enhance the Meiler Lab’s research capabilities. It will support the hiring of new team members, acquisition of advanced equipment for structural characterization, and scaling up of vaccine development processes. While the project’s immediate goal is to produce a potent therapeutic vaccine against alphaviruses, the tools and methods developed could be adapted to combat other infectious diseases, enhancing our preparedness for future pandemics.

“This funding accelerates our ability to bring cutting-edge vaccine designs from the lab to clinical trials,” said Dr. Martina. “We are thrilled to pursue this ambitious goal and look forward to the broader impact our work can have on global health initiatives.”