LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Swiss scientists have created a nanoparticle vaccine that delivers vaccines more effectively, with fewer side effects and at a lower cost.
The bioengineering researchers at the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne said their newly patented vaccine delivery platform might make it possible to vaccinate against diseases such as hepatitis and malaria with a single injection and at an estimated cost of only a dollar a dose.
The nanoparticle vaccine was developed by Professors Jeff Hubbell and Melody Swartz and doctoral student Sai Reddy.
"If, as we hope, this vaccine technique can confer sustained immunity with a single injection for around a dollar a dose, without toxic side effects, it could have a real impact on public health, in the developing world as well as right here at home," said Swartz. "More study is required to achieve these goals, but we have every reason to believe this technique could be in use within five years."
The research is described in the online edition of the journal Nature Biotechnology.
