the researchers used laboratory equipment to make pieces of the same proteins that are in sars-cov-2. they put the proteins inside the bodies of laboratory mice using a microneedle array, meaning a small patch with about 400 tiny needles made out of other protein and sugar. one of the scientists, dr. emrullah korkmaz, said these needles melt away inside the skin after they release the vaccine. the skin is a good place to put a vaccine because it has many immune cells in it. then the mice made antibodies, or protective molecules, in their blood. the scientists measured the amount of antibodies and guessed it would be enough to fight off the sars-cov-2 virus if the mice were exposed to it. it took about two weeks for the mice to make lots of antibodies.