Nucleic Acid Vaccines
Nucleic acid vaccines use synthetic mRNA or plasmid DNA to instruct host cells to produce viral, bacterial, or tumor antigens, stimulating adaptive immune responses without live organisms. Their modular design enables rapid antigen swapping, scalable manufacturing, and potential for multivalent or platform-based countermeasures relevant to military biodefense and force readiness.
Technical Challenges
Delivery and stability: efficient cytosolic delivery, endosomal escape, and preservation of nucleic acids in varied environmental conditions.
Durability and breadth of immunity: achieving long-term protection, cross-strain coverage, and robust mucosal immunity for many pathogens.
Reactogenicity and safety profiling: minimizing inflammatory responses, rare adverse events, and establishing safety in wounded or immunocompromised Warfighters.
Manufacturing scale-up and regulatory harmonization: consistent GMP production, lot-to-lot quality, and accelerated but rigorous approval pathways for emerging threats.
Emerging Opportunities
Thermostable formulations that remove cold-chain dependence for austere and prolonged-field care settings.
Single-dose or rapid prime-boost regimens that confer protection quickly after administration.
Delivery platforms optimized for diverse administration routes (intranasal, transdermal) to enable mucosal immunity and battlefield applicability.
Portable, deployable manufacturing and quality-control solutions for near-forward vaccine production and rapid response.
Current and Emerging Technologies in Nucleic Acid Vaccines
mRNA vaccine platforms
Lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated mRNA enabling rapid antigen design, scalable in vitro transcription manufacturing, and demonstrated clinical efficacy for viral threats.
DNA/plasmid vaccine systems
Plasmid DNA delivered via electroporation or nanoparticle carriers offers thermostability advantages and simplified cold-chain requirements for field use.
Advanced delivery modalities
LNP optimization, polymeric carriers, microneedle patches, intranasal formulations, and electroporation devices that improve uptake, target tissue, and enable nontraditional administration routes.
Thermostable and lyophilized formulations
Lyophilization, novel excipients, and nanoformulations designed to maintain potency without ultra-cold storage for austere-environment deployment.
Distributed manufacturing and quality control
Portable RNA printers, modular GMP workflows, rapid analytical assays, and digital batch-release tools for near-forward vaccine production and surge capacity.
Importance to Military Medicine
Rapid response to emerging biological threats
Enables accelerated development and deployment of countermeasures against novel pathogens that threaten force readiness.
Austere and prolonged-field care suitability
Thermostable and single-dose advances reduce logistical burden for vaccinations during extended deployments and delayed evacuation scenarios.
Integrated biodefense and readiness
Platform vaccines support stockpiling, rapid antigen updates, and protection of critical units in outbreak conditions or deliberate biological events.
Compatibility with polytrauma and comorbidity populations
Flexible dosing and route options help tailor vaccination strategies for injured, immunocompromised, or medically complex Warfighters.
Alignment with the MTEC Mission
Accelerates transition of medical countermeasures from concept to fieldable products, consistent with MTEC’s mission to shorten timelines for Warfighter-relevant technologies.
Supports cross-disciplinary projects spanning infectious disease, biodefense, and prolonged care—areas prioritized by MTEC for military relevance and civilian benefit.
Enables collaboration among industry, academia, and DoD partners to solve logistic, manufacturing, and regulatory challenges through consortium-driven solicitations.
Platforms lend themselves to dual-use outcomes—improving civilian public health preparedness while directly bolstering military readiness and force protection.
Dual-Use (Military + Civilian) Applications
Dual-use vaccines protect deployed forces and civilian populations simultaneously, enabling economies of scale in manufacturing and shared regulatory data.
Technologies developed for military austere conditions (thermostability, compact delivery devices, portable manufacturing) translate to humanitarian and outbreak-response settings.
Shared platform data and surveillance integration accelerate vaccine updates for seasonal and emerging threats affecting both civilian and military populations.
Public–private partnerships fostered through MTEC reduce duplication, streamline clinical development, and broaden the impact of innovations across sectors.
Explore MTEC Members with Nucleic Acid Vaccines Capabilities
MTEC members bring expertise in platform development, delivery chemistry, cold-chain alternatives, regulatory strategy, and distributed manufacturing—critical strengths for advancing nucleic acid vaccines to field use.
Explore member profiles to identify partners with GMP manufacturing, clinical trial experience, electroporation and microneedle device capabilities, and biodefense project history to accelerate collaborative solutions.
100 Members with Nucleic Acid Vaccines capabilities.
The University of Texas System is a leading public university system in the United States, dedicated to improving lives through education, health care, and research. With over 256,000 students enrolled across 14 institutions, the UT System is committed to providing affordable access to higher education and producing a skilled workforce to drive Texas's economy.
Georgia Southern University is a vibrant institution with over 26,100 students across three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville. The university offers 132 degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels, emphasizing student success, community impact, and research excellence. With a commitment to inclusivity and engagement, Georgia Southern fosters a supportive environment for diverse learners, including military-affiliated and adult students. The university is dedicated to transforming lives through education and community engagement, aligning its programs with regional needs. Additionally, Georgia Southern provides accelerated pathways for students to fast-track their master's degrees, enhancing educational opportunities. The university also emphasizes career readiness and public impact research, preparing students for successful careers and contributing to community development.
Humanetics Corporation is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, focused on developing and commercializing products to enhance human health and wellbeing. Founded in 1988, the company specializes in radiation modulators, adjunctive oncology therapies, and pulmonary protective therapies, particularly for COVID-19. Humanetics is known for its lead drug candidate, BIO 300, which is being developed as a radioprotectant for military and civilian use, as well as a treatment to improve outcomes in cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. The company is actively engaged in research programs for non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, and head and neck cancers.
STAT Therapeutics is focused on developing a drug- device combination for easy, rapid administration of intramuscular, life-saving medications by users in any setting, aiming to improve access and usability for acute emergency treatments such as pain, anaphylaxis, and seizures.
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research, teaching, and community engagement. As a premier public research university, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a catalyst for socioeconomic development, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
Auburn University Research & Economic Development is dedicated to advancing research and economic growth through a collaborative effort among its various colleges and departments. The organization focuses on fostering innovation, supporting faculty and student research, and facilitating partnerships with industry and government to address societal challenges and enhance the quality of life. Recent initiatives include the launch of the Team Science Series to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of the Gulf Coast Engineering Research Station to address coastal environmental challenges.
The Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I3R) at the University of Arkansas is dedicated to pioneering solutions to complex societal challenges through convergence research. With a mission to advance research excellence and stimulate economic development, I3R focuses on deploying innovations at scale through collaboration across various sectors, including academia, industry, and government.
UTMB is dedicated to supporting research, education, and scholarly endeavors, with a focus on creating the future of healthcare through innovative research and community engagement.
The University of Chicago is a prestigious urban research university committed to rigorous inquiry and intellectual freedom. Founded in 1890, it has produced numerous Nobel laureates and is known for its transformative education and groundbreaking research across various fields. The university fosters an inclusive and diverse learning environment, encouraging participation from all community members.
Boston University is a major research institution committed to leading breakthroughs across various disciplines. The Office of Research supports and advances research excellence, fostering collaboration among researchers, industry partners, and government leaders to address significant societal challenges.
Baylor University is a preeminent Christian research university committed to addressing the world's most meaningful challenges through top-tier research and scholarship. Recognized as an R1 research institution, Baylor focuses on infusing its distinct Christian mission into its research initiatives, fostering a commitment to excellence and innovation.
Base Pair Biotechnologies specializes in custom aptamer discovery and development for research, diagnostics, therapeutics, and industrial applications. The company leverages proprietary multiplex selection, advanced bioinformatics, and chemical modification techniques to develop high-affinity and selective nucleic acid aptamers. Base Pair enables affinity reagent development, biosensor design, and molecular detection for a broad range of targets and partners across academia and industry.
The University of Cincinnati Office of Research is a premier R1 urban research institution dedicated to advancing transformative knowledge and disruptive discoveries that address real-world challenges. Guided by its Research2030 strategic plan, the Office fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, supports innovative research initiatives, and connects industry, government, and community partners with UC's thought leaders. The Office accelerates economic growth and societal impact by investing in key research strengths such as analytics, cyber, robotics, sensors, skin science, adolescence, cancer, digital humanities, infectious diseases, medical devices, neuroscience, smart cities, sustainability, urban futures, and water. With a strong commitment to transparency, compliance, and research security, the Office provides comprehensive support for faculty, students, and staff throughout the research lifecycle, ensuring excellence and integrity in all scholarly activities. Specialized programs and support offices include biosafety, animal care, research integrity, cybersecurity, human research protection, defense research initiatives, government cost compliance, and radiation safety, all designed to uphold the highest standards of ethical, safe, and innovative research. The Office also keeps the community informed and engaged through its monthly 'Findings' newsletter, highlighting impactful research, partnerships, and opportunities.
The Nanovaccine Institute, established at Iowa State University in 2017, is a national transdisciplinary research consortium focused on advancing nano-based technologies to treat and prevent diseases. The institute aims to revolutionize public health outcomes through the design and promotion of nano-based vaccines and therapeutics.
The UT Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) specializes in applying cutting-edge technologies to real-world engineering problems. Our collaborative endeavors reflect a commitment to excellence, integrity, and respect for all, bringing economic growth and fulfillment to our families, business partners, university, and community.
Kromek Group plc develops advanced detection technologies for radiological, nuclear, and biological threats using Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) solid-state detectors. The company offers manufacturing and R&D for high-resolution gamma and neutron detectors, networked and wearable monitoring devices, and automated pathogen detection platforms. Its solutions serve the civil nuclear, medical, environmental, defense, and public health sectors worldwide, enhancing safety, operational efficiency, and health security.
Non-Invasive Glymphatic (GF) Monitoring and Recovery Optimization for Warfighter Cognitive Readiness
Applied Cognition is developing non-invasive glymphatic monitoring and recovery technologies to enhance warfighter cognitive readiness, resilience, and sleep recovery.
Moberg Analytics
Moberg Analytics – Advanced Brain Monitoring & Critical Care Informatic
Moberg’s platform unifies brain monitoring data for faster, precise treatment of severe brain injuries in military and civilian care.
University of California San Francisco
TemPredict: AI-Driven Wearable Monitoring for Early Illness Detection and Warfighter Readiness
TemPredict: AI wearables detect early illness and health risks to support warfighter readiness.
Arizona State University
ASU Crosscutting Technologies to Enhance Military Medical Readiness and Resilience
Dr. Rachel Cassalia leads MTEC-supported efforts at ASU to shift military health from reactive care to proactive readiness through data-driven prevention.