Three Minute Thesis Winner 2024

Summary

In this presentation, the speaker discusses the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of mRNA vaccines in combating the virus. The main issue is that mRNA vaccines require cold storage, which has led to significant waste, especially in developing countries. The speaker introduces a potential solution in the form of an encapsulin, a protein that can act as a protective container for the mRNA, allowing vaccines to be stored and transported without refrigeration. The speaker shares the progress made in developing a working prototype of this innovative vaccine and its potential to change global vaccine accessibility.

Takeaways

• 😀 The mRNA vaccines played a crucial role in combating the COVID pandemic, but they have a major limitation: they require cold storage.
• 😀 Cold storage for mRNA vaccines is a significant problem, especially in developing countries where millions of doses are wasted.
• 😀 The aim is to create a better version of the mRNA vaccine that can be transported and used without the need for strict temperature control.
• 😀 Encapsulins, proteins that act as tough, indestructible containers, offer a potential solution to this problem.
• 😀 Encapsulins can protect the mRNA within them, acting as a 'safe' that makes the vaccine more stable and easier to ship globally.
• 😀 The idea is to combine the protective power of encapsulins with the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines to create a new generation of vaccines.
• 😀 The presenter’s PhD research focuses on developing this solution, starting with creating encapsulins and testing their effectiveness with mRNA.
• 😀 After working on the encapsulins in the first year, the research shifted to integrating mRNA into them in the second and third years.
• 😀 The result of this work is a working prototype of the new vaccine, which is now in the testing phase.
• 😀 Testing will focus on answering key questions: Can the vaccine survive various conditions, be shipped worldwide, and provide protection effectively?
• 😀 Despite the urgency of the situation, the presenter is confident that the answer to these challenges will be positive.

Q & A

What is the main challenge that the speaker identifies in relation to mRNA vaccines?

The main challenge is that mRNA vaccines require cold storage, either in a freezer or fridge, which makes them difficult to distribute in the developing world.

How does the speaker describe mRNA technology?

The speaker describes mRNA technology as an incredible advancement, but acknowledges that it has a major flaw related to the need for constant cold storage.

What is the concept of 'encapsulin' mentioned in the presentation?

Encapsulin is a type of protein that functions like a container or box, capable of protecting and holding substances inside it, similar to a safe or box.

Why does the speaker compare encapsulin to a volcano?

The speaker compares encapsulin to a volcano to emphasize its toughness and resilience, as encapsulins are found in some of the most dangerous places on Earth and are very difficult to break apart.

What is the speaker's proposed solution to the mRNA vaccine storage issue?

The speaker proposes combining mRNA with encapsulins, essentially using encapsulins as a protective container to safeguard the mRNA, allowing it to survive in different conditions without the need for cold storage.

How did the speaker's research progress over the years of their PhD?

In the first year, the speaker focused on making as many encapsulins as possible, in the second and third years, the focus shifted to embedding mRNA inside the encapsulins to ensure it worked effectively.

What is the current status of the speaker's research on this new vaccine?

The speaker has a working prototype of the vaccine and is now moving on to the final testing phase to evaluate its effectiveness and durability under various conditions.

What key questions does the speaker raise in the final testing phase?

The speaker raises questions about whether the vaccine will be tough enough to survive various conditions, whether it can be shipped worldwide, and whether it will provide protection to those who need it.

Why is this new version of the mRNA vaccine considered a significant improvement?

This new version is significant because it addresses the cold storage issue, which could make the vaccine more accessible globally, especially in regions where maintaining cold storage is a challenge.

What is the ultimate goal of the speaker's research?

The ultimate goal is to create a new generation of vaccines that can be shipped globally and provide protection to everyone, regardless of environmental conditions.