National Science Foundation has given a one million grant to Yale biomedical engineers and cell biologists for developing nano particles for delivering vaccines. The team would be developing a new class of nano materials with properties which would mimic biological vectors such as viruses and bacteria.
Tarek Fahmy, Assistant professor stated:
While previous research has shown that safe, biocompatible materials can be engineered into nanoparticles that contain drugs or vaccines, we will develop new materials for vectors that interact specifically and predictably with cells. Our nanosystems will be designed to evade the normal barriers and stimulate antigen-presenting cells of the immune system
The researchers are looking to construct smart nanoparticle vaccine delivery system by making use of modular approach which could be easily modified for meeting the requirements of any particular vaccine. This would be a safer approach and more effective as compared to the currently employed methods. They are stating that their approach would be flexible for the purpose of integration of different DC surface proteins which would enable optimal DC population targeting and priming.
