A dissolvable patch pressed against the inside of the cheek could deliver mRNA vaccines without needles or refrigeration. Current mRNA vaccines, while powerful against COVID-19, require ultracold storage and trained medical staff to inject them. This makes them impractical for remote or low-resource regions where vaccines are most needed. The patch tackles both problems at once: it stores the mRNA inside synthetic polymer capsules embedded in a mesh of microfibers, keeping the vaccine stable at room temperature. When pressed against the cheek, saliva turns the microfibers into a gel that sticks to the tissue and releases the capsules, which then carry the mRNA into immune cells beneath the surface. If this works, vaccine supply chains could be transformed. No more cold trucks, freezers, or syringes. A patient could simply press a patch to their own cheek and generate protective T-cells and antibodies. The project also aims to develop cheaper manufacturing methods for these patches, potentially lowering production costs. For people with needle phobias, it offers a painless alternative. For underserved populations in remote areas, it could mean the difference between getting vaccinated and going without.
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Immunisation is of utmost importance for global health, as it plays a crucial role in preventing millions of deaths worldwide each year. It has proven highly effective in the prevention and, in some cases, near-eradication of life-threatening diseases like polio, measles, and whooping cough. The emergence of the coronavirus pandemic accelerated the development of vaccines, with messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccines pioneered by companies such as Moderna and BioNTech leading the way in combating COVID-19. This breakthrough in vaccine development has opened up new possibilities for preventing the spread of other diseases that were previously very difficult to address. However, mRNA vaccines come with specific challenges. Current mRNA vaccines necessitate strict cold storage conditions, which pose difficulties in terms of storage, transportation, and quality control. They are administered by injection that requires access to sterilised equipment as well as trained healthcare professionals such as nurses and doctors. Many of these requirements are not available in parts of the world where vaccines are most needed. Furthermore, offering alternative methods of vaccine administration that do not involve injections would enable individuals with needle phobias to receive vaccinations. To address these challenges, our goal is to transform vaccine delivery by developing an mRNA vaccine loaded within a patch that can be deployed safely to soft tissues in the mouth. This innovative technology involves enclosing the mRNA within tiny synthetic polymer capsules that provide protection and stability. These polymer capsules are delivered from microfibers that make up the mesh of the patch, and allow for storage at ambient temperature, simplifying transportation and storage logistics. To administer the vaccine, the patch may be pressed against the surface of the inside of the cheek. Upon contact with saliva, the microfibers within the patch gel, facilitating its adhesion while simultaneously releasing the polymer capsules containing the mRNA. These polymer capsules then penetrate the cheek tissue, delivering the mRNA to immune cells residing within it. Once the immune cells uptake the mRNA, they become activated, triggering an immune response by generating T-cells and producing antibodies that protect against the targeted disease. In addition to transforming vaccine delivery, a further aim is to develop more efficient manufacturing methods for these vaccine-containing patches, ultimately reducing production costs. The creation of these patches would benefit numerous individuals. By providing a needle-free, self-administered vaccine option that can be stored at ambient temperature, our technology has the potential to improve vaccine accessibility, especially for underserved populations in remote regions. Furthermore, it offers a more convenient and accessible immunisation method for individuals who experience needle-phobia.
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