Scientists use tiny ‘cages’ to protect vaccines from high temperatures
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Vaccines, antibodies and other types of vital medications could soon be more effectively transported to underserved populations in remote and dangerous regions thanks to researchers at the University of Bath.
Scientists at Bath have created tiny silica ‘cages’ capable of protecting vaccines from high temperatures. Several million vaccine doses are lost every year due to unrefrigerated breaks in the supply chain.
By coating doses in non-toxic, inert silica cages, researchers were able to prevent vaccines from breaking down in temperatures as great as 100 degrees Celsius. The silica quickly binds to the vaccine proteins, forming multiple protective layers which prevented the proteins from breaking down.
Source: UPI.com (link opens in a new window)
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