University to Study Genetics Role in Vaccine Response

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has received a five-year, $12 million contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to study genetic factors that influence how well individuals respond to the anthrax vaccine.

This research will provide valuable information about individual differences in immune response and in adverse reactions to the anthrax vaccine, says Richard Kaslow, MD, professor of epidemiology in the School of Public Health at UAB.

The investigation will rely heavily on information gathered from an ongoing study of the anthrax vaccine under way at several medical research institutions, including UAB.

Hopefully, our work will give us greater insight into the way the vaccine works and the role of genetics in determining response, Kaslow adds.

Source: University of Alabama at Birmingham