Project Number: 3625-32000-106-12
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jul 13, 2012
End Date: May 30, 2015

Objective:
The objective will be to utilize nanoparticles as a new platform for delivery of vaccines against respiratory viruses in calves.

Approach:
We propose to develop polymeric particles for controlled delivery of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) peptides and/or proteins to be used as an intranasal vaccine. This subobjective will involve collaboration with scientists at Iowa State University (ISU). Investigators at ISU have generated polyanhydride nanoparticles that contain antigens from several pathogens and shown in multiple studies that they can induce an immune response in animals provided these vaccines. Our plan would be to have peptides generated from a conserved epitope of RSV G protein (BRSV G) of full-length G or fusion proteins to be encapsulated in polymeric particles. We believe delayed delivery of immunogens provided by the nanoparticles will facilitate enhanced protection of calves.