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Historically, vaccine development has been a male-dominated field.
But today, the science — which is showing spectacular results — is led by women https://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
But today, the science — which is showing spectacular results — is led by women https://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
Women played a major role in developing the science behind Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech’s mRNA vaccines.
These vaccines teach cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune system response http://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
These vaccines teach cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune system response http://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
Such vaccines are:
Quicker to develop
Safer to use
Easier to manufacture at scale
It’ll probably be adapted to treat other viruses, and even things like skin disorders http://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
Quicker to developSafer to useEasier to manufacture at scaleIt’ll probably be adapted to treat other viruses, and even things like skin disorders http://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
The core work behind the mRNA approach comes from Katalin Kariko, a Hungarian-born émigré who came to the U.S. to research RNA.
After problems raising research money and a bout of cancer, she ended up working with Drew Weissman and made a breakthrough http://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
After problems raising research money and a bout of cancer, she ended up working with Drew Weissman and made a breakthrough http://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
Kariko ended up working with BioNTech — a German start-up founded by husband-and-wife team Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci.
You can read more about them here: https://trib.al/ljG8wKK
You can read more about them here: https://trib.al/ljG8wKK
Then there is the vaccine from Novavax. Results are not yet published, but early word is that they are very promising.
This vaccine uses an unusual moth cell system to crank out proteins in a highly innovative manner http://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
This vaccine uses an unusual moth cell system to crank out proteins in a highly innovative manner http://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
Novavax's team is led by Nita Patel, an immigrant from Gujarat, India.
Her vaccine team is identified as “all-female" http://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
Her vaccine team is identified as “all-female" http://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
Women and immigrants have been prominent at crucial points:
Lisa A. Jackson led phase one of Moderna’s trial
Noubar Afeyan, Moderna’s co-founder and chairman, was born in Lebanon and moved to Canada, then the U.S. http://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
Lisa A. Jackson led phase one of Moderna’s trialNoubar Afeyan, Moderna’s co-founder and chairman, was born in Lebanon and moved to Canada, then the U.S. http://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
The swift development of all these vaccines could end up being the biggest scientific advance in decades – and it’s been driven by people who, in another era, never would have had a chance http://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
In business, academia and other fields of science, women do not have roles nearly as prominent as they do right now in vaccine development.
Given their contribution to vaccines just this year, think what kind of impact they could have in other areas http://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
Given their contribution to vaccines just this year, think what kind of impact they could have in other areas http://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
The story of vaccines in the 21st century shows two things:
Society could be better about allocating talent, and reap big gains across a broad variety of areas
It’s possible to remedy talent misallocations if we are willing to take the necessary steps http://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
Society could be better about allocating talent, and reap big gains across a broad variety of areasIt’s possible to remedy talent misallocations if we are willing to take the necessary steps http://trib.al/Hc6jnXY
