Identifying Genetic Determinants of Rotavirus Vaccine Failure in Malawian Children
The following grant was awarded by, is supported by, is administered by or is in partnership with the Fogarty International Center at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Funding Fogarty Program
International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA)
Project Information in NIH RePORTER
Identifying Genetic Determinants of Rotavirus Vaccine Failure in Malawian Children
Principal Institution
Harvard School of Public Health
Principal Investigator(s) (PI)
Barnes, Kayla G
Project Contact Information
Email: kbarnes@broadinstitute.org
Year(s) Awarded
2018-2024
Country
Malawi
Project Description
Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe childhood gastroenteritis, resulting in over 215,000 deaths per year and in low-income countries, where the burden is highest vaccines are only around 50% effective. In Malawi, recent investigations of biological and environmental causes of rotavirus vaccine failure have proved indeterminate and therefore this project aims to investigate if host and microbial genetic factors are predictive of and associated with reduced immunogenicity of the rotavirus vaccine. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) combined with transcriptomic analysis and evaluation of microbial infections would determine genetic variants linked to rotavirus vaccine failure and shed light on the reasons why high vaccine failure occurs in low-income countries.
Related World Regions / Countries