Dose of Disruption
Summary
When a breakthrough self-boosting vaccine ignites global hope—and fear—an MIT team must outwit sabotage and moral peril to prevent their invention from becoming a weapon of chaos.
In the high-stakes world of biotech innovation, Ana Jaksin and her MIT team unveil a self-boosting vaccine poised to revolutionize global health—offering hope to millions in regions where traditional immunization is a logistical nightmare. As media frenzy erupts and governments clamor for access, the breakthrough draws the ire of entrenched pharmaceutical giants and the attention of shadowy actors with darker ambitions. Ana, driven by the memory of her mother’s death from a preventable disease, must navigate a battlefield where every decision could save or doom countless lives.
When field trials launch in a politically volatile region, the promise of progress collides with the harsh realities of sabotage, misinformation, and ethical uncertainty. A critical flaw emerges: the vaccine's advanced polymer microparticles, under unpredictable conditions, may trigger dangerous immune responses. With her mentor Robert Lannard urging caution and her protégé Rhoda Zhan racing to avert disaster, Ana faces mounting pressure from all sides—including a covert collective seeking to weaponize their technology. As social media conspiracy storms rage and the world’s eyes turn to MIT, Ana and her team must confront the ultimate question: can they harness their invention for good, or will their ambition unleash chaos that changes the course of biotechnology forever?
Inspired by: Particles carrying multiple vaccine doses could reduce follow-up shots - https://news.mit.edu/2025/particles-carrying-multiple-vaccine-doses-could-reduce-need-follow-up-shots-0515