Search for edible Malarial vaccine leads to other potential medical uses for algae
In California, biologists at UC San Diego are looking to answer whether or not scientists can rid malaria from the Third World by simply feeding algae genetically engineered with a vaccine. A study published on Monday demonstrated that the answer is “not yet.” However, the same method may work as a vaccine against a wide variety of viral and bacterial infections.
In their most recent study, the researchers fused a protein that elicits an antibody response in mice against the organism that causes malaria, with a protein produced by the bacterium responsible for cholera. The results showed that the mice developed to both, but because this was in the gut and mucosal linings, it would have no effect against malaria, but their fusion proteins might protect against infectious diseases that affect mucosal linings.
Category: Dashboard
