Replacing the Needle for Innoculations in the Field In an effort to increase its ability to respond to biological attacks in the field, the Army wants a DNA vaccination device that blasts gene-filled gas right through the skin then delivers electric shocks to coax cells into accepting it. U.S. Army The Army's Wants a Genetic Vaccinator that Blasts Doses of DNA Right Through the Patient's Skin -- Popular Science
Biological threats -- everything from malicious biological weapons to naturally occurring pandemics -- are tricky threats to approach. Pathogens' ability to emerge rapidly and spread even faster over large populations is particularly worrisome, as our usual method of developing medicines and vaccines takes nothing if not time -- lots and lots of time. But the army is looking for a simple procedure -- a quick pffft! of air followed by a short bzzzz! of electrical pulse -- encapsulated in a single tool that can deliver a cocktail of DNA vaccines to troops or civilians quickly, efficiently, and as painlessly as possible.
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