Abstract
For many vaccines currently available, every newly produced batch has to be tested in vivo – on animals – to verify its potency. To avoid animal suffering and reduce the variability associated with these tests, we developed assays that could assess the vaccine quality in vitro – using cells.
We showed that these assays can distinguish vaccine batches of high and low quality. The cell-based tests can therefore be used to approve the commercial use of a batch without animal testing. The methods we developed are also highly informative: they allowed us to understand the mechanism through which the investigated vaccines activate the human immune system. A better understanding of the immunological basis of protection can lead us to better vaccines.
These in vitro approaches are therefore beneficial in multiple ways, since they can create a vaccine development and testing environment that is both more effective for humans and less harmful to animals.
We showed that these assays can distinguish vaccine batches of high and low quality. The cell-based tests can therefore be used to approve the commercial use of a batch without animal testing. The methods we developed are also highly informative: they allowed us to understand the mechanism through which the investigated vaccines activate the human immune system. A better understanding of the immunological basis of protection can lead us to better vaccines.
These in vitro approaches are therefore beneficial in multiple ways, since they can create a vaccine development and testing environment that is both more effective for humans and less harmful to animals.
Original language | English |
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Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
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Award date | 19-May-2021 |
Place of Publication | [Groningen] |
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DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 |