New method to create vaccines

Researchers from a Danish university have developed a new and simple way to create vaccines.

The technique involves mimicking the structure of a virus. This structure is used as a scaffold, with harmless parts of the pathogen to be vaccinated against attached to it. This virus-like structure is then introduced into the body, allowing the body’s immune system to produce antibodies against it.

Dr Adam Sander, from the University of Copenhagen, said: “The major research breakthrough is that we have created a general and user-friendly platform for the development of effective and safe vaccines. The highly effective method opens a new door for controlling diseases such as cancer, asthma, allergies and cardiovascular diseases by means of vaccines. We are therefore already now able to initiate strategies to combat some of the biggest killers in the western world.”

This method allows the possibility of controlling diseases such as cancer, asthma, cardiovascular disease and allergies. It also means previous research for vaccines against diseases such as malaria, cancer and allergies can now be reinvestigated easily as the basic structure needed to create the vaccines involved can be readily made.

The technique will allow inexpensive vaccines to be developed in low-income countries. Professor Ali Salanti, also from the university, said: “With our research, we offer a very simple tool that allows health professionals to produce complex vaccines in a productive, safe and cost-effective manner.

“It will be a game changer for low-income countries, which can now make vaccines targeted at widespread diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. There is no doubt that the new results will have a significant impact on tomorrow's vaccines and public health,” he said.

The study was published in the Journal of Nanobiotechnology.