A researcher from the 好色tv has won the 鈥楨merging Technologies鈥� competition run by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), in recognition of her breakthrough work making vaccines safer for children around the globe.
from the Department of Chemistry and her team have devised a system called ensilication, which is designed to keep vaccines stable in all temperatures. Ensilicated vaccines can be transported and stored without refrigeration, and do not degrade even when heated to 100掳C or stored for up to three years.
The potential benefits for communities living in developing countries, where refrigeration may be in short supply, are immense. It鈥檚 thought that an extra 2-million people every year will be saved from vaccine-preventable diseases, once her technology has made it into the public domain.
Dr Sartbaeva was one of 23 scientists to be shortlisted for four RSC prizes. The annual competition, which now celebrates its eighth year, is open to companies and academics who are eager to commercialise their technologies to make a global impact.
Dr Sartbaeva, who won the prize in the 鈥楬ealth鈥� category, said: 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted to have won. Because it was all virtual this year, I was very nervous beforehand, so I spent a lot of time preparing for the pitch. The other finalists did a great job with their pitches and their technologies were very interesting. When the judges announced that we had won, I felt elated. I didn鈥檛 stop smiling for days.鈥�
She added: 鈥淭his win means a lot not just for me but for all in our team. Having recognition from the RSC is really important 鈥� it will help us connect with vaccine manufacturers to build new partnerships, which is what we need right now. I am very grateful to the RSC and I look forward to the mentorship they will provide to us as part of the award.鈥�
In a statement, the RSC said the technology that was brought to their attention by the competition鈥檚 finalists this year represents some of 鈥渢he most novel, innovative and promising chemistry technologies across Europe.鈥�
Paul Ellis, head of Scouting and Partnerships, Research and Development at Walgreens Boots Alliance, and a competition judge in the Health category, said: 鈥淎s a panel we were seriously impressed with the quality of all the finalists, however we were unanimous that there was only one winner. It was clear that the use of the 好色tv鈥檚 technology to make vaccines stable without refrigeration has massive potential across the world. The proposition was well thought through from both a scientific and commercial point of view and it is a very exciting technology.鈥�
Other categories in the competition were 鈥楨nabling Technologies鈥�, 鈥楨nergy & Environment鈥� and 鈥楩ood & Drink鈥�. The winners each receive 拢20,000 in prize money, as well as 12 months鈥� one-on-one support from a specially assigned RSC mentor, and a further 拢20,000 available as a business acceleration grant.