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Extended Stay Research Unit

 The Center for Vaccine Development Extended Stay Research Unit allows Saint Louis University to serve as a major hub for cutting-edge vaccine research, offering controlled, in-depth studies of influenza.

Daniel Hoft, M.D., Ph.D., directs SLU's Center for Vaccine Development. Photo by Ellen Hutti
Daniel Hoft, M.D., Ph.D., director of SLU's Center for Vaccine Development

Intentional Flu Exposure: Your Stay, Our Breakthrough

SLU's Extended Stay Research Unit offers controlled exposure to pathogens in a comfortable, monitored environment, providing fast, efficient results and positioning the University as a leader in public health. 

Notably, the facility allows researchers to conduct human challenge influenza studies. These differ from the more common flu vaccine clinical trials historically done at SLU: researchers vaccinate people and then deliberately challenge their bodies by exposing them to the flu to see if they get sick. Volunteers are quarantined in the research unit for about 10 days, during which they are observed, tested and cared for around the clock by nurses. They cannot go home until two days after they've tested negative for infection. 

Human challenge studies are typically conducted early in vaccine research after an initial Phase One study has determined that the vaccine can be safely given to a small group of healthy adults. Volunteers are paid around $3,500 for their time and travel. 

University researchers ultimately hope their findings will contribute to the development of a universal flu vaccine — a federal government priority — as well as drug discovery and development. 

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Accommodations

Because symptoms take time to develop, every participant in a human challenge flu study must be quarantined in the Extended Stay Research Unit. The facility can accommodate up to 24 volunteers, and it has been carefully designed to protect the safety of study volunteers and non-study participants. 

Key Features

  • Sophisticated HVAC system for aerosol containment
  • Dedicated clean zone and changing area
  • Hotel-style rooms with private bathrooms and TV/Internet
  • Common area with views of the Gateway Arch
  • Dining/kitchen area
  • Catered meals
  • Exercise equipment

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