Bioengineer Michael Fischbach studies alternative vaccine delivery methods, like self-administered creams with no needles, health professionals, or side effects. He teases a day when vaccines that don’t make you feel bad come in the mail in ketchup-style packets. Such innovations would greatly improve vaccine uptake, especially in developing countries, and speed global response to novel viruses. It would change how we think about vaccines, Fischbach tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected] Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Michael FischbachConnect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionRuss Altman introduces guest Michael Fischbach, a professor of bioengineering at Stanford University.(00:04:24) Cream-Based VaccinesThe discovery that revealed the skin’s ability to spark systemic immunity.(00:07:36) Engineering ImmunityModifying staph epidermidis to carry antigens and test immune response.(00:09:38) Tumor RegressionHow engineered bacteria triggered tumor-killing immunity in mice.(00:12:53) Antibody DiscoveryEvidence that skin exposure can generate long-lasting antibodies.(00:17:02) Antibody Response in HumansWhether humans show antibody responses to their own skin bacteria.(00:18:42) Turning Bacteria into VaccinesEmbedding harmless pathogen fragments into bacterial surface proteins.(00:20:55) Immunity Without ShotsHow mice achieved vaccine-level immunity through topical application.(00:24:00) Reimagining Vaccine DeliveryThe potential for self-applied, needle-free, and multiplexed vaccines.(00:26:50) Mechanism Behind Skin ImmunityHow skin immune cells may constantly sample microbes for defence.(00:28:14) Next Steps in DevelopmentThe path toward testing safety, dosage, and delivery in higher models.(00:29:57) Choosing Vaccine TargetsViruses and diseases that could be targets for early skin-based vaccines.(00:31:11) Safety and ReversibilityEnsuring safety with reversible bacteria and limited trial participants.(00:33:04) Transitioning to BiotechTransitioning research from Stanford to large-scale biotech development.(00:34:31) Future In a MinuteRapidfire Q&A: creative science, vaccine innovation, and biology’s future.(00:36:56) Conclusion
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