Despite the fact that they have been used for almost a century to increase vaccine potency, their chemical and physical properties are not well defined. In addition, the mechanism of action of aluminium-based adjuvants is still not completely understood.

By producing stable and well-characterised mineral nanoparticulate antigen delivery systems, increased knowledge on the mechanism of action of aluminium-based adjuvants can be obtained. The delivery and uptake of nanoparticles shall be investigated, as well as the role of the inflammasome in adjuvant activity. With this information, it will be possible to develop adjuvants with improved potency and/or decreased side effects.