Researchers at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) have made significant progress in the development of a vaccine for non-typhoidal Salmonella, a bacterial infection that causes millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations in the U.S. each year.
The study, published in Infection and Immunity, focuses on a new method for delivering a Salmonella vaccine using small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). These tiny particles, naturally produced by cells for communication, were engineered to carry bacterial proteins, triggering a long-lasting immune response in mice without the risks associated with using live bacteria.
READ: Hurricane Milton: Florida Agricultural Production Losses Top $190M, UF Economists Estimate
Mariola Ferraro, a study author and associate professor at the UF/IFAS Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, emphasized the importance of this research, particularly in light of the rising threat of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella strains. The study utilized Salmonella strains found in Gainesville’s wastewater, including resistant strains, to test the vaccine’s effectiveness against real-world infections.
The results were promising, with the vaccine successfully generating antibodies against Salmonella in mice. Ferraro noted that the findings not only demonstrate the vaccine’s potential but also highlight the important role of sEVs in regulating immunity.
READ: University Of Florida Study Taps Into Flourishing Craft Beer Market
The research team plans to further investigate the role of sEVs in the immune system and explore why this delivery method may be safer and more effective than traditional approaches.
This research was driven in part by the late Lisa Emerson, a doctoral student at UF and a passionate advocate for public health. Emerson tragically passed away in September at the age of 29.
“Lisa truly cared,” Ferraro shared. “That’s why she chose to work at the CDC — because public health wasn’t just a field to her; it was a calling.”
UF has established a memorial scholarship in Emerson’s name to support students pursuing careers in microbiology and public health.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.