An ultra-low-cost electroporator with microneedle electrodes (ePatch) for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination
Abstract
Low-cost and rapidly distributable vaccines are urgently needed to combat COVID-19 and future pandemics, especially for developing countries and other low-resource settings. DNA vaccines are inexpensive, rapidly developed, and safe, but require bulky and expensive electroporation devices for effective vaccination, which presents challenges to affordable and mass vaccination. We developed an ultra-low-cost (<1 USD), handheld (<50 g), battery-free electroporation system combining a thumb-actuated piezoelectric pulser and a microneedle electrode array skin interface for DNA vaccination against COVID-19, which was shown to be immunogenic and well-tolerated in animal studies. This study provides a proof-of-concept that DNA vaccination against epidemics can be achieved using an ultra-low-cost electroporator that is inexpensive enough for single use and robust enough for repeated use if desired.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- November 2021
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.2110817118
- Bibcode:
- 2021PNAS..11810817X