Catz Fellow Pioneers ‘Single-Shot’ Malaria Vaccine Technology

A team at the University of Oxford has developed a new vaccine delivery system that could transform global immunisation efforts by eliminating the need for booster doses. Professor Eleanor Stride, Catz Fellow in Biomaterials, is one of these researchers at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering.

Using a microfluidics-based system, the researchers have created biodegradable microcapsules that can be programmed to release the dose at specific intervals in the months following a single injection. In preclinical trials, this innovative method provided strong protection against malaria using the R21 vaccine, performing comparably to traditional two-dose schedule.

This breakthrough, led by researchers at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering and the Jenner Institute, aims to overcome key challenges in vaccine distribution – namely in low-access regions where follow-up doses are difficult to administer.

Clinical translation is now underway, with support from pharmaceutical partners and global health organisations. If successful, the technology could significantly improve global vaccine coverage – particularly among the 20 million children who missed routine immunisations in 2022.

Professor Eleanor Stride, Statutory Professor of Biomaterials at the Department of Engineering Science and the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, commented: “This has been an extremely exciting project and a great example of how bringing together Engineering and Medical Science can create solutions to global problems. We’re hugely looking forward to taking this to the next stage.”

This study was published on the cover of Science Translational Medicine on Wednesday, 25th June 2025. St Catherine’s College extends a very enthusiastic congratulations to Professor Eleanor Stride and colleagues.