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HKU State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases and InnoHK Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics successfully develop nasal spray H5N1 avian influenza vaccine

Researchers at HKU and CVVT create a nasal spray vaccine offering single-dose protection against H5N1 infection, inducing comprehensive immunity in the upper respiratory tract. The vaccine's high safety profile and ability to curb viral transmission make it a critical reserve for future outbreaks.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2025

The Vaccine Innovation Center, Korea University's College of Medicine successfully held the 2025 Vaccine Expert Training Program

The Vaccine Innovation Center at Korea University's College of Medicine successfully held the 2025 Vaccine Expert Training Program, attended by over 380 experts and researchers from various fields. The program aims to foster domestic vaccine R&D experts and promote the development of commercially available vaccines.

MIT engineers develop a way to mass manufacture nanoparticles that deliver cancer drugs directly to tumors

Researchers at MIT have developed a method to mass manufacture nanoparticles that target cancer cells, eliminating the need for manual polymer mixing and streamlining production. This approach integrates good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compliant processes, making it suitable for large-scale production of cancer treatments.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateApr 3, 2025

Adulting is hard on the heart: Teen to young adulthood is a critical time to address risk

Many teenagers enter adulthood with significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and emerging adulthood is a key time to address these risks. Interventions such as health practices, lifestyle changes, and improved access to healthcare can help reduce the risk of developing future cardiovascular disease.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMar 26, 2025

How Zika virus knocks out our immune defenses

Researchers from La Jolla Institute for Immunology and UC San Diego discover Zika virus blocks dendritic cells' ability to alert T cells, while dengue virus stimulates pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to a stronger but uncontrolled immune response. Understanding these differences is key to developing life-saving vaccines.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2025

NUS Medicine study: Breaking antibiotic-resistant bacteria’s protective shields opens door for immune system response, offers insights for managing pneumococcal diseases

Researchers have made progress in understanding how Streptococcus pneumoniae constructs its capsule, a critical target for vaccine development. The study identified three categories of transporters that facilitate sugar building block transport, with relaxed specificity transporters posing potential risks to bacterial growth.

Charité study yields new data on Mpox vaccine effectiveness

A study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that a single dose of the Imvanex vaccine provides 84% protection against Mpox for HIV-negative individuals, but offers limited protection for those living with HIV. The study recommends that all at-risk groups, particularly those with HIV, receive two doses of the vaccine to ac...

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateMar 19, 2025

Study finds new targets needed for vaccine to prevent herpesvirus transmission to babies

A recent study by Oregon Health & Science University and Weill Cornell Medicine has found that CMV lacking a certain viral protein complex can still be transmitted and cause significant harm to the developing fetus. The research suggests that additional vaccine targets need to be identified and explored to provide superior protection.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 12, 2025

Breakthrough in next-generation polio vaccines

Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed a more affordable and lower-risk polio vaccine using virus-like particles (VLPs). VLPs mimic the outer protein shell of poliovirus but are empty inside, making them non-infectious yet capable of triggering an immune response.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 11, 2025

Research identifies key antibodies for development of broadly protective norovirus vaccine

Researchers have identified powerful antibodies capable of neutralizing a wide range of norovirus strains, paving the way for designing a broadly effective norovirus vaccine. The discovery brings us closer to a vaccine that could provide lasting protection and prevent devastating effects of norovirus outbreaks.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 5, 2025

Royalty among us

Richard Willson, a University of Houston professor, has been elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry for his contributions to the chemical sciences. He has developed innovative methods to detect viruses and other biological threats using glow-in-the-dark nanoparticles.

Chung-Ang University uncovers porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus’s impact on swine immunity

Researchers analyzed protein-coding RNA transcripts from single cells and lung fluid of infected pigs, monitoring immune cell alterations triggered by PRRSV strains of varying virulence. They found that high-virulence PRRSV caused severe lung damage and immune imbalance, while less virulent strains led to delayed lung damage with fewer...

SourceChung Ang University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2025

Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation awards $3.2 million to innovative early-career scientists

The foundation has awarded eight recipients of the 2025 Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award, including five early-career researchers with initial grants of $400,000 over two years. The awardees aim to develop novel cancer therapies using innovative approaches such as engineered skin bacteria and small molecule-boosted drug delivery.

Leveraging artificial intelligence for vaccine development: A Ragon-MIT advancement in T cell epitope prediction

Researchers developed MUNIS, a deep learning tool that predicts CD8+ T cell epitopes with high accuracy, potentially accelerating vaccine development. The tool was validated using experimental data from influenza, HIV, and EBV, demonstrating its potential to streamline vaccine design.

SourceRagon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 28, 2025

COVID-19 vaccine developed at University of São Paulo presents promising results in animal trials

Researchers at the University of São Paulo's Medical School have developed a COVID-19 vaccine using virus-like particles (VLPs), which proved highly protective, safe, and versatile in animal trials. The vaccine can be easily updated to combat variants of concern without requiring an adjuvant.

T cells’ capability to fully prevent acute viral infections opens new avenues for vaccine development

Scientists discovered that T cells can prevent acute viral infections, challenging traditional views on sterilising immunity and herd immunity. The study found that T cells controlled viral loads and antibodies produced, and were effective in preventing infection to undetectable levels in some participants.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 10, 2025

Small antibody offers broad protection against influenza

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have discovered an antibody-like molecule, E10, that can protect mice from various influenza viruses. The molecule targets a conserved part of the virus's surface protein shared across multiple influenza types, providing effective protection against seasonal epidemics.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2025

Chinese Medical Journal review provides insights into respiratory syncytial virus

Researchers provide comprehensive review of RSV's virology, clinical impact, and prevention strategies, emphasizing the need for effective vaccines to mitigate this critical health need. The review highlights RSV's severe impact on infants, children, and older adults, as well as its potential effects on multiple organs and systems.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 20, 2024

UVA model advances rational design of more effective maternal vaccines for newborns

Researchers created an advanced computational model to optimize maternal vaccine design and protect high-risk populations. The model helps reveal which antibodies can pass through effectively and when, enabling the development of safer, more effective vaccines.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Immunology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 12, 2024