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Nanoparticles Offer Potential as Intrauterine Vaccine Delivery Mechanism

Scientists with the University of Saskatchewan are examining the potential of encapsulating vaccines or drugs within nanoparticles to allow them to be administered to sows and gilts along with semen during artificial insemination.

Researchers with the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization and the College of Pharmacy & Nutrition are exploring the potential use of nanoparticles to administer intrauterine vaccines as an alternative to needles to prevent swine disease, focussing initially on Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea.

Dr. Azita Haddadi, an Associate Professor with the Division of Pharmacy in the College of Pharmacy & Nutrition, says these nanoparticles which consist of polymers that are approved by the FDA, encapsulate the drug or vaccine.

Clip-Dr. Azita Haddadi-University of Saskatchewan:

These nanoparticles are tiny spheres that can carry the drug or vaccine inside them.Using these nanoparticles as a carrier for vaccines or drugs, it could be for different reasons like protecting the payload from degradation or they could target the payload to specific cells or tissues or you can control the release times for this vaccine or medication so we can use them for so many different reasons and so many different applications.

In our lab we are mainly using these for chemotherapy application and vaccine.These nanoparticles can get the vaccine and take it to immune cells and then start the immune response so they are able to induce a robust immune response.

Dr. Haddadi says researchers have completed the development of safe stable vaccines and the next step is to conduct trials to see if they are able to induce an immune response in piglets exposed to infection.

Source : Farmscape.ca

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CEOs of the Industry – Rob Brenneman, CEO of Brenneman Pork

Video: CEOs of the Industry – Rob Brenneman, CEO of Brenneman Pork

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CEOs of the Industry, we sit down with Rob Brenneman, the visionary behind Brenneman Pork, for an unfiltered, in-depth conversation on leadership, survivability, nutrition, and the future of pig farming.

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Health & Survivability: Rob’s take on biosecurity, disease management, and the systems and protocols that protect both pigs and profitability.

Well-Marbled Pork as Premium Protein: The science, consumer insights, and culinary feedback behind Rob’s mission to reintroduce pork as a premium, flavorful protein.

Sustainability & Farm Culture: How Brenneman Pork balances environmental responsibility with day-to-day positivity and resilience.

Generational Impact: Strategies to attract, inspire, and retain the next wave of pork producers with pride and purpose.

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Whether you're a producer, nutritionist, policymaker, or future leader, this episode offers a masterclass in where pork production is headed—and how visionaries like Rob are shaping it.