Researchers from the State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering at the Institute of Process Engineering (IPE) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have proposed a new "nano-micro composite" delivery concept for inhaled vaccines and developed a new vaccine platform to tackle these challenges together with researchers from the State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity at Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature.

The platform, featuring fast preparation, efficient delivery, easy storage and transportation at room temperature, and sustained release, has successfully prepared vaccines in the laboratory, proven to be effective in blocking respiratory viral infection and transmission in animal models.

The platform combines biodegradable microspheres with protein nanoparticles. The surface of these nanoparticles can simultaneously display multiple antigens, thus inducing a broad-spectrum immune response and expanding the range of vaccine protection. The platform also allows for the quick and convenient development of other respiratory virus vaccines thanks to the flexibility of antigen presentation.