HIV Vaccine Engineered From Plants

Scientists in Europe have used cloning vectors to produce a potential HIV vaccine for humans. After many years of research the Orebro University in Sweden has successfully genetically modified plants to produce an active protein from the HIV virus which, when digested by mice, forms antibodies against the protein in the mice’s immune system.

The main thing preventing the development of a cure for HIV is the diversity of the genetic make up of each strand, because of its rapid mutation rate. However, the chosen protein (labelled p24) exists in all strands of the virus, and has for the most part the same shape in each strand.

This p24 protein was placed in a bacterial vector, which entered the plants cells and gave it the ability to produce the protein, and also to create offspring which coded for this protein. The genetically modified plant was then fed to the mice, who produced antibodies against the virus, labelling the plant a successful vaccine. It is believed that this plant will have the same affect on humans, however, it may not be enough protection against the virus alone. It is also believed that if more proteins are pinpointed from the virus and modified to have the same effect, the combination of many vaccines against the damaging proteins will be enough to prevent the virus altogether.

It is also an ideal treatment as it is safe and inexpensive, therefore easily provided to third world countries where HIV and AIDS is very prevalent, and can be provided in easy ways such as harvesting of genetically modified, vaccine vegetables.

Amber Gould