By DoM Communications | Date published: August 13, 2026
Research by Kate Fitzgerald Shows Potential to Increase Vaccine Efficacy
In a recent study published in Science Advances, Kate Fitzgerald, PhD, the Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research Chair III, professor and executive vice chair of medicine, vice provost for basic science research, and chief of the Division of Innate Immunity, demonstrated the potential to increase vaccine efficacy. In collaboration with Elicio Therapeutics Inc., Dr. Fitzgerald’s research has the potential to transform otherwise weak vaccine adjuvants into powerful innate immune system stimulators, opening new avenues for treatment of infections and cancer. Through their research, UMass Chan scientists have discovered how a novel vaccine platform using amphiphile (AMP) modified DNA adjuvants that target the lymph nodes stimulate the innate immune system to generate a potent T-cell response.