2 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, July 18, 2005 4 ROCK 'N' READ Grant given to develop vaccine for world's poor Nasal, heat-resistant vaccines being created for easier, accessible immunizations By Muhammad Saloom Khan Daily Staff Reporter Scientists at the Michigan Nan- otechnology Institute for Medi- cine and Biological Sciences have received a $6.3 million grant that they will use to work on the development and testing of a more efficient vaccine delivery system. This new system should eliminate the need for vaccine refrigeration and the use of needles. M-NIMBS recently received the Grand Challenges in Global Health Initiative grant, which was created to find solutions for problems afflicting developing countries. One of the primary donors to the grant was the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,. which contributed $450 million to the initiative. Overall, the Grand Challenges in Global Health Initiative has given 43 grants to scientists in 33 different countries, totalling $436.6 million. Dr. James R. Baker, Jr., director of M-NIMBS and the study's lead investigator, is working on devel- oping better methods for vaccine dispersal and use. Baker said that getting the grant was vital to suc- cessfully researching nasal vacci- nations. "(The Grand Challenges grant) is very important because we are changing the way vaccines are administered. Instead of using needles we will use nanoscopic oil droplets placed in the nose. This will allow the vaccine to be given in remoter parts of the world that cannot afford needles," Baker said. Baker added that their research on heat-stable vaccines will help poor countries that cannot afford to keep vaccines refrigerated. The mixture of vaccine and microscop- ic emulsion of water and oil give a protective coat against heat and contamination and are also cost effective and easy to make. "In addition, this is a unique vaccine vehicle because it does not need to be refrigerated. This means you could distribute in areas like Africa that aren't able to maintain medicines in the cold. Therefore this proposal could totally change vaccine therapy throughout the developing world," Baker said. The grant will last five years and Baker hopes to begin human clinical trials within the first two years of receiving the grant. The hepatitis B vaccine will be used in the trials with the hope that the research will permit other vac- cines to be used later. The Grand Challenges grant will go to support activities that are not covered by traditional funding, such as human trials in Africa. Despite that M-NIMBS has received more than $40 mil- lion in previous grants for nano- *tech development, the Grand Challenges grant will fund other fields not significantly supported by previous donations. On the foundation's website, Bill Gates, co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said, "It's shocking how little research is directed toward the diseases of the world's poorest countries. By harnessing the world's capacity for scientific innovation, I believe we can transform health in the developing world and save mil- lions of lives." The University Board of Regents has approved the funding for a new M-NIMBS facility but no date has been set for the project to begin. Derek Berk drums for the band The High Strung at a performance in the Ann Arbor Public Library on Friday, July 15. The band is touring libraries in Michigan as part of the "Rock & Roll Library Tour," designed to encourage students to visit their local library. 4 r get fresh...... at jules Furniture Body butters, scrubs, & shower gels. Plus the Look Better Naked trio of products.... Jules is the place to find hip furniture and great gifts! Check out our Art Fair Specials1 11 ES begining Monday, July 18th. FRIURE 306 So. MAIN ST., SUITE 1A - 734.332.3408 ann Yncinnunfirst- annuawi Fake Udiwte .st! Try to find the "fake ad" in today's paper. If you think you have found the ad, e-mail your guess (with the name and page number of the ad) to: display@michigandaily.com (Subject: Fake Ad Contest) Contest sponsored by Papa John's Pizza. Winner will receive 1 Free Large, Specialty Pizza for 6 months! One winner will be chosen at the end of each month and will be contacted by e-mail. n:. www.michigandaily.com The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is published Monday through Friday during the fa aeand winter terms by students at the University of Michigan. One copy is available free of charge to all readers. Additional copies mayr e picked up at the Daiy's aottice for $2. Subscriptions for fall term, starting in September, via U.S. mail are $110. Winter term (January through April) is $115, yearlong (September through April) is $195. University affiliates are subject to a reduced subscription rate. 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