"Protective antigen (PA) of Bacillus anthracis is one of the three components of the anthrax toxin," says Alexander Karasev, a lead researcher on the study. "Purified PA is currently used as a vaccine against anthrax. However, the licensed vaccine derived from apathogenic B. anthracis has side effects and a more efficacious and safer vaccine is needed."
Karasev and his colleagues have genetically engineered a tobacco mosaic virus that, when inserted into spinach plants, instructs the plants to manufacture fragments of PA. The fragments can then easily be purified and used in a vaccine. They are already being used in the production of PA specific antibodies in laboratory animals.
"Plants can be an excellent vehicle for production of a subunit vaccine against anthrax based on protective antigen," says Karasev.
The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) is the largest single life science society, composed of over 42,000 scientists, teachers, physicians, and health professionals. Its mission is to promote research and training in the microbiological sciences and to assist communication between scientists, policymakers, and the public to improve health, economic well being, and the environment.
Further information on the ASM Biodefense Research Meeting can be found online at www.asmbiodefense.org.