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Strong physique - the arrival of plant vaccines
Future parents may soon have even more compelling reasons to encourage their children to eat vegetables. Beyond their rich content of vitamins and minerals, these veggies could soon be seen as powerful tools in boosting immunity, thanks to the development of edible vaccines. Scientists around the world are exploring innovative ways to deliver vaccines through food, making immunization more accessible and efficient.
In Australia, researchers in Adelaide and Melbourne have been actively working on this groundbreaking concept. With support from government funding, they've made significant progress in embedding the measles vaccine into crops such as potatoes, peas, bananas, and rice flour. This approach could revolutionize how vaccines are distributed, especially in regions where traditional methods face challenges.
Traditional vaccines are not only costly but also require strict storage conditions, which can be a major barrier in developing countries. Plant-based oral vaccines, however, can be stored more easily and transported without refrigeration, solving many of the logistical issues that hinder vaccination efforts. This improvement could significantly enhance the effectiveness of immunization programs globally.
The research began with tobacco plants, which were genetically modified to express a protein found in the measles virus. These modified plants were then used in experiments on mice, and the results were promising—every tested mouse developed antibodies that blocked the virus from infecting them.
Dr. Ian Day, one of the leading scientists in the field, explained that tobacco was chosen for its ease of genetic modification. However, he emphasized that the ultimate goal is to use plants that children actually enjoy eating. In the U.S., researchers are testing the hepatitis B vaccine in bananas, which could cost just a few cents per dose compared to the $100–$200 price tag of traditional vaccines. But Dr. Day warns that unless the bananas are processed into a paste, their natural degradation could reduce the vaccine’s potency.
Rice is another promising candidate. Australian scientists have made breakthroughs using genetically modified rice, but the challenge lies in the cooking process, which can destroy the vaccine. To address this, researchers are looking into transferring the vaccine into rice flour, which may better preserve its effectiveness.
Studies show that while some vaccines may break down during digestion, others can survive and continue to work, or combine with naturally occurring proteins in the body to trigger an immune response. Unlike traditional injectable vaccines, which require skilled administration and refrigeration, plant-based vaccines could be taken orally and stored at room temperature, making them far more practical in remote areas.
For example, in regions like central Sudan, where refrigeration is scarce, the current system often fails to maintain vaccine efficacy. By eliminating the need for cold storage and professional handling, edible vaccines could dramatically increase vaccination rates in low-resource settings.
Scientists are now working on refining these plant-based vaccines, aiming to create a safe and effective measles vaccine that could be available within the next decade. This innovation has the potential to transform global health by making immunization more accessible, affordable, and sustainable for all.