Scientists have made progress in developing a dissolvable microneedle patch that could store and deliver mRNA vaccines without the need for freezing temperatures. This type of patch is applied to the skin like a small bandage and dissolves to release the vaccine. Researchers from RMIT University in Australia, along with teams from MIT and Harvard Medical School in the US, discovered how to better protect the tiny particles that carry the vaccine’s genetic material during the drying and rehydration process. By adjusting the design of these particles and the type of polymer used in the patch, they improved the stability of the vaccine. This breakthrough could reduce the cost and complexity of transporting mRNA vaccines, which currently must be kept extremely cold. “Our study helps explain how the particles carrying mRNA react to drying and rewetting, which is key to creating vaccine patches that are more stable and easier to distribute,” said Dr. Brendan Dyett, the lead researcher from RMIT. “Many mRNA vaccines require very low temperatures, making them difficult and expensive to ship and store. This patch could help avoid those challenges.” The team also noted that this technology might be useful not just for vaccines, but for other mRNA-based treatments in the future. While the research is still in early stages, the goal is to create patches that make vaccines simpler to use and more accessible worldwide. A separate study last year by Daewoong Pharmaceutical showed that microneedle patches could also effectively deliver an obesity medication called semaglutide, suggesting wider applications for this technology. The findings were published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.