Biotech Updates

Transgenic Potato-derived Vaccine for Viral Disease of Birds

May 27, 2011

Transgenic potatoes with vaccines against the devastating Newcastle disease of birds have been developed at the Institute of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Technologia Agropecuaria in Casteral, Buenos Aires, Argentina. This highly contagious disease can infect bird species across borders and may cause major health and socioeconomic consequences.

The transgenic potatoes contain the genes needed to generate proteins that could activate the immune response of susceptible birds. Cecilia Vazquez Rovere, the leader of the research team said that, "the method of application of the edible vaccine reduces side effects and eliminates the handling of animals. In addition, products from transgenic plants are free from contamination, pathogens, microbial toxins and oncogenic sequences."

The article In Spanish can be seen at  http://fundacion-antama.org/cientificos-argentinos-desarrollan-patata-transgenica-que-actua-como-vacuna-para-las-aves/