$2.5M Project Aims for Improved Avian Flu Vaccine

Binghamton University researchers are developing a yeast-based vaccine to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 8:23pm

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Outbreaks of avian flu at U.S. poultry farms led to more than $1.5 billion in losses over the last two years and drove egg prices to all-time highs in 2025. A new $100 million program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is funding projects aimed at combating highly pathogenic avian influenza, including a $2.5 million grant to Binghamton University to develop a next-generation avian flu vaccine using engineered yeast.

Why it matters

Avian flu outbreaks have had a significant economic impact on the U.S. poultry industry, leading to major losses and higher consumer prices. This research project aims to create a more effective and easier-to-administer vaccine that could help prevent or contain future outbreaks, strengthening national food security and reducing the risk of spillover to humans.

The details

Professor Sha Jin, a faculty member in Binghamton University's Department of Biomedical Engineering, will lead the research project. The team will bioengineer yeast cells to display the same hemagglutinin (HA) protein found on three H5N1 strains of the avian flu. When chickens ingest the yeast, it is expected to stimulate an immune response that prepares them to fight off future exposure to the live flu virus. Yeast was chosen because it is edible, inexpensive to manufacture, shelf-stable at room temperature, and can be updated quickly as new viral strains emerge.

  • The project is funded for three years, with the possibility of a one-year, no-cost extension if early results are promising.
  • The research team will feed the altered yeast to chickens and then expose them to avian flu to evaluate immune protection.

The players

Sha Jin

A faculty member in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Binghamton University, who will lead the research project.

U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

The agency that is investing $100 million in projects aimed at combating highly pathogenic avian influenza, including the $2.5 million grant to Binghamton University.

Penn State University

The university that has the required biohazard containment facilities and testing facilities to feed the altered yeast to chickens and expose them to avian flu to evaluate immune protection.

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What they’re saying

“We chose yeast because it's edible and therefore safe. In addition, yeast is already widely used in chickens because it can boost the health and immunity of the birds.”

— Sha Jin, Department of Biomedical Engineering Professor

“For mRNA vaccines, refrigeration during transportation, handling and storage is essential to preserve biological activity. Yeast can be handled and stored at room temperature, so it's a lot easier for poultry farms to manage.”

— Sha Jin, Department of Biomedical Engineering Professor

“A feedable yeast vaccine could prevent or halt avian influenza outbreaks, strengthen national food and biosecurity, reduce spillover risks to dairy cattle and humans, and ultimately save lives.”

— Sha Jin, Department of Biomedical Engineering Professor

What’s next

The research team will feed the altered yeast to chickens and then expose them to avian flu to evaluate immune protection.

The takeaway

This project aims to develop a more effective and easier-to-administer avian flu vaccine using engineered yeast, which could help prevent or contain future outbreaks and reduce the significant economic and public health impacts of this disease.