Skip to main content
Appalachian Today
News and events at Appalachian State University
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Galleries
  • In the Media
  • Grants
  • Speakers
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Galleries
  • In the Media
  • Grants
  • Speakers
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

Out of cold storage — App State vaccine and drug research could speed delivery, cut costs

A 3D rendering of a tardigrade — a microscopic, eight-legged animal found in water and/or damp moss. Appalachian State University alumnus Harrison Esterly ’19 is a co-author of recently published research that shows a tardigrade-specific protein is safe for injection in mice and may therefore be suitable to stabilize vaccines at room temperature, which would eliminate the need for costly refrigeration during storage and transport. Shutterstock/3Dstock image

The research paper co-authors
  • App State alumnus Harrison Esterly ’19, a research technician at UNC-Chapel Hill.
  • Candice J. Crilly, a Ph.D. candidate and research assistant at UNC-Chapel Hill.
  • UNC-Chapel Hill alumna Dr. Samantha Piszkiewicz, a postdoctoral associate at the University of California, Berkeley.
  • App State senior Dane Shovlin, a student veteran and chemistry major from Greensboro.
  • Dr. Gary Pielak, the Kenan Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biophysics at UNC-Chapel Hill.
  • Dr. Brooke Christian ’05, assistant professor in App State’s A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences. Christian has served as a first and second reader for theses of App State Honors College students.
By Jessica Stump
Posted Nov. 24, 2020 at 1:58 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Co-authored research by three members of the Appalachian State University Community could yield a more cost-effective storage and delivery method for life-saving drugs and vaccines — including a future COVID-19 vaccine.

The App State co-authors are Dr. Brooke Christian ’05, assistant professor in the A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences (CFS); alumnus Harrison Esterly ’19, a research technician in the lab of Dr. Gary Pielak at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and student veteran Dane Shovlin, a senior chemistry major from Greensboro who is currently working in Christian’s lab.

Vaccines, including several COVID-19 vaccine candidates, are made of proteins that are inherently unstable and require refrigeration during transport and storage, Christian explained. In addition to lowering costs, eliminating the need for refrigeration would allow those in need to access drugs and vaccines sooner, including people in areas with little to no electricity infrastructure, she added.

The team’s research found that a protein specific to tardigrades — microscopic, eight-legged animals commonly known as “water bears” — is safe for injection in mice and may therefore be suitable to stabilize vaccines. The protein, called CAHS D (a cytosolic abundant heat soluble protein), has been shown to protect proteins during desiccation (removal of water), a strategy which could allow vaccines to be dried out and transported at room temperature.

View larger image
View larger image
View larger image

The three Appalachian State University Community members whose co-authored research, recently published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology, could yield a more cost-effective storage and delivery method for drugs and vaccines — one that eliminates the need for refrigeration, allowing life-saving medications to reach those in need sooner. Pictured, from left to right, are Dr. Brooke Christian ’05, assistant professor of chemistry; alumnus Harrison Esterly ’19, a research technician at UNC-Chapel Hill; and student veteran Dane Shovlin, a senior chemistry major from Greensboro. Photo of Christian by Mel J Photography. Photo of Esterly submitted. Photo of Shovlin by Chase Reynolds

Vaccines, proteins and ‘water bears’

The team’s open access research article, titled “Toxicity and Immunogenicity of a Tardigrade Cytosolic Abundant Heat Soluble Protein in Mice,” was published Oct. 7 in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Pharmacology.

The published research grew out of a grant-funded project that began in 2018, when Esterly, originally from Belews Creek, was an undergraduate student researcher in Christian’s App State lab. Grant funding, provided by the UNC System Office, was awarded to Christian and Pielak, the Kenan Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biophysics at UNC-Chapel Hill.

As one of two App State student researchers involved with the grant project, Esterly — who holds an American Chemical Society-certified Bachelor of Science in chemistry from App State — bred mice, injected them with the CAHS D protein, tracked their body weight over 28-day experiments and collected blood/blood serum samples from the mice under Christian’s supervision.

The team’s research showed CAHS D did not cause a toxic response in mice (no mice died or had observable adverse effects) and none of the mice experienced an inflammatory response to the protein.

Christian said the study’s results indicate CAHS D may be a safe protein to stabilize vaccines. The team’s next step is to make sure vaccines stabilized with the protein are effective following injection.

View larger image

Dr. Brooke Christian ’05, assistant professor in Appalachian State University’s A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences. Photo by Mel J Photography

View larger image

Appalachian State University alumnus Harrison Esterly ’19, a research technician in the lab of Dr. Gary Pielak at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Esterly, of Belews Creek, graduated from App State in 2019 with a B.S. in chemistry — an American Chemical Society-certified degree — and minors in biology and mathematics. Photo submitted

View larger image

Dane Shovlin, an Appalachian State University senior and student veteran from Greensboro. Shovlin is majoring in chemistry at App State and is a member of the university’s Student Veterans Association. Photo by Chase Reynolds

The research paper co-authors
  • App State alumnus Harrison Esterly ’19, a research technician at UNC-Chapel Hill.
  • Candice J. Crilly, a Ph.D. candidate and research assistant at UNC-Chapel Hill.
  • UNC-Chapel Hill alumna Dr. Samantha Piszkiewicz, a postdoctoral associate at the University of California, Berkeley.
  • App State senior Dane Shovlin, a student veteran and chemistry major from Greensboro.
  • Dr. Gary Pielak, the Kenan Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biophysics at UNC-Chapel Hill.
  • Dr. Brooke Christian ’05, assistant professor in App State’s A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences. Christian has served as a first and second reader for theses of App State Honors College students.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

UNC System funds Appalachian research on new drug storage and delivery method
UNC System funds Appalachian research on new drug storage and delivery method
Aug. 28, 2018

Research by Appalachian’s Dr. Brooke Christian, professor in the Department of Chemistry, could “change the paradigm of drug delivery,” potentially reducing the cost of drug storage and transportation.

Read the story
App State alumnus credits Mountaineer experience for his research success
App State alumnus credits Mountaineer experience for his research success
Nov. 24, 2020

Harrison Esterly ’19 said his undergraduate experience at App State prepared him for success in the field of chemistry. Now a research technician at UNC-Chapel Hill, he is continuing a project he began at App State — one that could yield cost savings for storing and transporting life-saving medications.

Read the story

About the A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences

The A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry, a Bachelor of Science in chemistry with eight different concentrations and an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree in fermentation sciences. The department’s programs prepare students to attend graduate and professional schools, as well as for employment in the pharmaceutical and fermentation industries and other business sectors. Learn more at https://chemistry.appstate.edu.

About the College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and unique location. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,400 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at https://cas.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

The research paper co-authors
  • App State alumnus Harrison Esterly ’19, a research technician at UNC-Chapel Hill.
  • Candice J. Crilly, a Ph.D. candidate and research assistant at UNC-Chapel Hill.
  • UNC-Chapel Hill alumna Dr. Samantha Piszkiewicz, a postdoctoral associate at the University of California, Berkeley.
  • App State senior Dane Shovlin, a student veteran and chemistry major from Greensboro.
  • Dr. Gary Pielak, the Kenan Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biophysics at UNC-Chapel Hill.
  • Dr. Brooke Christian ’05, assistant professor in App State’s A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences. Christian has served as a first and second reader for theses of App State Honors College students.
UNC System funds Appalachian research on new drug storage and delivery method
UNC System funds Appalachian research on new drug storage and delivery method
Aug. 28, 2018

Research by Appalachian’s Dr. Brooke Christian, professor in the Department of Chemistry, could “change the paradigm of drug delivery,” potentially reducing the cost of drug storage and transportation.

Read the story
App State alumnus credits Mountaineer experience for his research success
App State alumnus credits Mountaineer experience for his research success
Nov. 24, 2020

Harrison Esterly ’19 said his undergraduate experience at App State prepared him for success in the field of chemistry. Now a research technician at UNC-Chapel Hill, he is continuing a project he began at App State — one that could yield cost savings for storing and transporting life-saving medications.

Read the story

Share

Topics

  • Alumni
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research
  • Students

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

Share

Topics

  • Alumni
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research
  • Students

Other Recent Posts

  • App State Online bachelor’s, master’s programs named among 2023’s ‘Best Online Programs’
    App State Online bachelor’s, master’s programs named among 2023’s ‘Best Online Programs’
  • App State to conduct full test of its emergency notification system Feb. 1
    App State to conduct full test of its emergency notification system Feb. 1
  • 6 App State students observe world climate policymaking at UN climate conference
    6 App State students observe world climate policymaking at UN climate conference
  • Aspiring NASCAR reporter Noah Cornelius is on track for a career in broadcasting
    Aspiring NASCAR reporter Noah Cornelius is on track for a career in broadcasting
  • Professor Alexandra Sterling-Hellenbrand awarded 2022–23 Fulbright to teach, conduct research in Austria
    Professor Alexandra Sterling-Hellenbrand awarded 2022–23 Fulbright to teach, conduct research in Austria
  • How Loading Up On Almonds Makes Your Weekend Workout Go Smoothly [faculty featured]
    How Loading Up On Almonds Makes Your Weekend Workout Go Smoothly [faculty featured]
    Forbes
  • Campus emergency siren test to be conducted Jan. 4, 2023
    Campus emergency siren test to be conducted Jan. 4, 2023
  • App State student-athletes extend 3.0+ GPA streak to 21 semesters
    App State student-athletes extend 3.0+ GPA streak to 21 semesters
  • UNA’s Dr. Ken Kitts Included on AL.com’s Final Listing of Top 22 for 2022 [alumni featured]
    UNA’s Dr. Ken Kitts Included on AL.com’s Final Listing of Top 22 for 2022 [alumni featured]
    University of North Alabama
  • Caldwell UNC Health Care bids a fond farewell to marketing director [alumni featured]
    Caldwell UNC Health Care bids a fond farewell to marketing director [alumni featured]
    Yahoo! News
  • App State confers approximately 1,500 degrees at Fall 2022 Commencement
    App State confers approximately 1,500 degrees at Fall 2022 Commencement
  • 2022 marks milestone year in App State’s 123-year history
    2022 marks milestone year in App State’s 123-year history

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the Media
  • Grants
  • Speakers
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2023 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
ucomm@appstate.edu

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat