Biotech Updates

Rabies Vaccine from GM Carrots

June 5, 2009

Researchers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico have developed transgenic carrot plants accumulating significant levels of the rabies virus glycoprotein. Rabies continues to be a major health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries, in spite of the availability of vaccines. The researchers believe that a vaccine expressed in an edible plant could provide a less expensive alternative.

The rabies glycoprotein gene was introduced to carrot embryogenic cells by particle bombardment. The scientists observed that all transformed plants presented a normal phenotype when compared to non-transformed plants. Mice immunized with the antigen were found to produce rabies antibodies and resist challenge.

The paper published by Transgenic Research is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11248-009-9278-8