A new study conducted by University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers found that the vaccines Nebraska hog farmers rely on to protect their animals from influenza can actually make lung disease more severe when the virus drifts to a new strain.
Another participating UNL researcher said a new approach could change that — and update to match emerging strains — within a month.
Hiep Vu, an associate professor of animal science at UNL, has developed a swine flu vaccine that uses lipid nanoparticles — tiny fat-like particles — to deliver DNA directly into muscle cells. Once inside, the animal’s own cells produce a key flu protein, triggering an immune response without exposing the animal to live virus…