F E A T U R E
VACCINES THROUGH MICRONEEDLE SKIN PATCHES
Transdermal patch by Innoture. Credit: Innoture.
A revolutionary new way to give vaccines through microneedle skin patches is being tested at Swansea University, thanks to £200,000 of EU funding announced by the Welsh Government. Hypodermic needles can be frightening and painful. Microneedles could improve patient compliance and therefore yield better health outcomes. Microneedles are tiny needles, measured in millionths of a metre (μm), which deliver medicines through the skin, similar to transdermal patches that deliver nicotine to help people give up smoking. The research is led by Innoture, a UK company with expertise in applying medicines through the skin. They have
worked with Swansea University since 2012. Their R&D department is based in the University’s Institute of Life Sciences, where research has been conducted with the Centre for Nanohealth, which has facilities for microneedle fabrication and transdermal testing. The research will develop and test technology for delivering vaccines through the skin. It will also test a simple and secure disposal process, which would mean patches can be administered at home. Professor Owen Guy, Head of Chemistry and Director of the Centre for Nanohealth at Swansea University, said: “Microneedle vaccine patches are an exciting development of Innoture’s transdermal patch technology”. Dr Michael Graz, Chief Scientific Officer of Innoture, explained: “The patch is painless and minimally invasive for patients to self-administer. At a time when self-isolation is necessary, it can be applied with ease in the home under guidance from a healthcare professional, reducing the need for people to attend
a clinic. In addition, for healthcare professionals, it shortens consultation or appointment times and potentially removes the need for cold-chain storage.” Dr Sanjiv Sharma, Senior Lecturer in Medical Engineering, added: “This project could provide a revolutionary approach to vaccination in the future. As a long-term partner of Innoture, we look forward to supporting this exciting venture”.
Microstructure design of Innoture skin patch. Credit: Innoture.
CORONADIARIES LIVING THROUGH A PANDEMIC
HOW HAS LOCKDOWN AFFECTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND WELLBEING?
Living with isolation and social distancing has inspired many to record their experiences, whether in written diaries, photographs or posts on Tik-Tok and other social media networks. Swansea University’s Dr Michael Ward is leading the first social science study into the current crisis, which looks at how we are documenting our lives during the pandemic. Called CoronaDiaries, it is based in part on the mass observation studies conducted before, during and after the Second World War, which saw volunteers record their experiences. Dr Ward is recruiting volunteers of all ages to take part. As well as traditional diary entries, he is including social media posts, blogs, videos, artworks and any other method that people used to express themselves during lockdown.
He said: “As medical and epidemiological knowledge is being produced, there is also an urgent need to use a social science lens in the response to Covid-19. These diaries will act as a recording of what we are going through for future generations and also as a way to share pain and experiences with others.” Dr Ward, senior lecturer in Social Science, said lockdown has created new modes of behaviour, and different social situations are constantly coming into existence – from Zoom work meetings to virtual coffee mornings via party apps. “People are responding in multiple ways. New interests, new interactions, a different social life is taking shape in both the real and virtual worlds.” He hopes to secure funding to produce a digital archive of the contributions so they
can be used to influence the response to coronavirus and to any future outbreaks in this or other pandemics. All documents will be stored securely in password-protected files, and written documents will be anonymised to protect participants. More information from Dr Ward by email m.r.m.ward@swansea.ac.uk, on 07890874188 or on Twitter @mrmwardphd.
A team of researchers from several UK universities, including sports science experts from Swansea, have launched a new study to examine the effect of the UK government’s lockdown strategy on the population’s physical activity levels and wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic. The team are recruiting a large sample of adults living in the UK to complete an online survey about physical activity. It asks about habits before Covid-19 and looks at what effect the lockdown has had on people’s physical activity levels and types and, importantly, on their mental wellbeing. The information gathered will help researchers be better prepared to support people in achieving and maintaining
optimal health and wellbeing if the country were to encounter a similar lockdown in the future. It also provides an insight into current physical activity levels, providing vital information for how to promote healthy lifestyles. Dr Kelly Mackintosh of sports science at Swansea University, co-investigator of the study, said: “If nothing else, one positive that has come out of Covid-19 is the government’s promotion of the importance of physical activity. Beyond all the physiological benefits, the mental health benefits of being active are particularly important at the moment. We hope that any positive behaviour changes are maintained when
the lockdown is lifted. This information will be vital across all four home nations, with co-investigator Dr Melitta McNarry and I keen to drive initiatives through the Welsh Institute of Physical Activity and Health.” Dr James Faulkner from the University of Winchester, lead investigator of the study, added: “This survey will allow us to gather important information on whether the specific strategies imposed by the government are having a substantial influence, be this positive or negative, on physical activity and wellbeing of the UK population.”
Dr Michael Ward
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