Imagining the Future of Vaccine Development
https://www.nae.edu/244967/Imagining-the-Future-of-Vaccine-Development
Keywords
1. Infectious diseases: Illnesses caused by pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites) that can be spread directly or indirectly from one person to another.
2. Pandemics: Outbreaks of a disease that occur over a wide geographic area and affect an exceptionally high proportion of the population.
3. Epidemics: Outbreaks of a disease that occur in a community or region, affecting a disproportionately large number of individuals.
4. Sanitation: Measures taken to maintain cleanliness and prevent the spread of diseases, such as proper disposal of waste and provision of clean drinking water.
5. Antibiotics: Medications used to treat bacterial infections.
6. Vaccines: Biological preparations that provide immunity to a specific infectious disease by stimulating the body's immune response.
7. Human adaptive immune system: The part of the immune system that adapts and evolves to recognize specific pathogens and provide immunity against them.
8. Machine learning (ML): A type of artificial intelligence that uses algorithms and statistical models to allow computers to learn from data and make predictions or decisions.
9. Nanoparticles: Tiny particles with dimensions measured in nanometers (billionths of a meter) used in medicine, including vaccine delivery.
10. Integrated continuous manufacturing: A manufacturing process that integrates all steps into a continuous flow, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
Summary
The evolution from high mortality rates due to infectious diseases like smallpox and tuberculosis to the modern era's advanced sanitation, antibiotics, and vaccines has dramatically reduced the prevalence of such diseases. However, humanity still faces significant threats from emerging pathogens like COVID-19, for which we must continually develop new vaccines. This development can be facilitated by the human adaptive immune system, machine learning, and innovative delivery methods such as nanoparticles, all integrated into a continuous manufacturing process.