Friday, 16th June 2006 (4411 views)

Scientists in Oxford have found that gold nanoparticles can be used to improve vaccinations against avian flu.

Virologists believe that the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu will mutate into a form that can easily pass between humans and so scientists are developing vaccines as a result.

However, scientists face a problem with developing vaccines for H5N1 because the plants that can make them are already engaged in making ordinary flu vaccines, which are also crucial, New Scientist reports.

DNA vaccines could be the answer, because they can be quickly and cheaply made from engineered bacteria. But problems exist with them because researchers have found that injecting people with DNA vaccines does not stimulate immunity.

However, scientists at PowerMed in Oxford have found that using the DNA to coat gold nanoparticles can bring benefits.

By doing this, scientists are able to blast the particles into the skin using pressurised gas where they penetrate immune cells.

The company believes that it could produce a mass-market vaccine by 2008.

 

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