SCI/TECH: Vaccine Breakthrough Will Improve World Health, page 1

A new method of storing vaccines, based on the natural processes of desert plants, will allow for vaccines to be stored at room temperatures, which will better provide third world countries with needed vaccines in areas without sufficient refrigeration for vaccine storage.

www.hindustantimes.com
A new science technique inspired by natural processes millions of years old could revolutionise public health care by allowing vaccines to be stored for years without refrigeration, British scientists announced on Tuesday.

The technology, modelled on desert plants' ability to survive drought, would spell radical improvements in medical access to children in developing countries who were previously too far from the so-called "cold chain" now needed for vaccines.

Bruce Roser, chief scientist at Cambridge Biostability, told the BBC his company had created the technology, called "stable liquid", based on anhydrobiosis, the process which allows cells to be preserved in a dried-out state.

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This science is great news for world health improvement. This "stable liquid" technology is intriguing and sounds like it could be useful for a variety of unrelated applications.

The reduction in cost of transportation and storage will visibly benefit third world countries and provide vaccines to more than just the "medical elite" of poor countries - those people in areas that can provide adequate refrigeration of vaccines and medications.

Related News Links:
DailyTelegraph
Reuters
www.news.com.au
news.xinhuanet.com

[edit on 19-10-2004 by Nerdling]