Investigating a novel, physical adjuvant for improving immune responses of vaccines (2013-2016)

This project aims to explore a novel physical adjuvant for improving vaccine immune responses. Current adjuvants are chemicals delivered into our bodies; often with immune responses hindered by poor local site reactions. In contrast, the core project idea is for the body to generate its own physical adjuvant: created by pressure at the skin inducing localized cell death. We will explore locating the physical adjuvant directly with both delivered vaccine and skin immune cells. The expected outcome is advancing the knowledge base on ways to harness local skin immunology - with practical delivery-physical adjuvant devices - to significantly improve vaccines.