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Canadian biotechnology company Medicago announced the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, which is now in the testing phase. It took the company a record 20 days to isolate the virus-like particle, the cornerstone of vaccine development. The particles needed for the vaccine were obtained from … tobacco leaves. It sounds amazing, because although it is not such a new solution, it is still rarely used.
COVID-19 vaccine in tobacco
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 disease is being researched by scientists around the world. Technology companies are “racing” to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, and scientists are looking for effective treatments for the disease.
The race was joined by the Medicago company – co-owned by the tobacco company Philip Morris International. It uses biotechnologically modified tobacco plants to produce a potential COVID-19 vaccine. It is an alternative to egg vaccines. What are the production differences?
– The classic method in hen eggs is the production of so-called vaccines. attenuated, which contain whole but weakened viruses. Such attenuated viruses do not cause disease but elicit a response from the immune system similar to virulent natural viruses. These vaccines are generally highly effective and their preparation is well developed. However, in practice, it happens (rarely, but there is some probability) that the virus returns to a virulent form, the so-called reverse – explains dr hab. Tomasz Pniewski, from the Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences in Poznań.
In tobacco, but also other plants, and even yeast or cell lines, vaccines can be produced, the so-called subunit. Such vaccines usually contain one or more viral proteins – most of them are structural proteins, i.e. those that form the virus envelope. How are they different from attenuated vaccines?
– These particles outwardly resemble a given virus and cause almost the same immune response as the natural virus. However, they do not contain the genetic material of the virus. Therefore, there is no risk of either multiplication of the virus or return of the virus to a virulent form or disease symptoms. – explains the expert.
See also: Jennifer Haller volunteered to test a COVID-19 vaccine. She told how it looks in practice
How are subunit vaccines made?
Vaccines produced in plants can be produced in two ways: in genetically modified plants (GMOs) or in the so-called transitional expression system. The latter system is currently mainly used for the production of vaccines in plants – in scientific research and by the few still existing companies.
– The most commonly used plant in this system is tobacco – Nicotiana benthamiana, which has no other industrial significance – explains Pniewski.
What is this production about? In short – the so-called a vector containing the gene of a given viral protein.
– This vector does not integrate with the genetic material of a plant cell, and if it does so rarely and only within some plant cells. However, it cannot be inherited. Instead, the gene encoding the viral protein is very active and in a short time (approx. 2 weeks), large amounts of the respective vaccine protein (up to several g / kg of biomass) are produced using the plant’s “gene expression machinery”. After the end of the production cycle, the biomass is collected (if it was not harvested, the plants would wither anyway), and the protein was purified – adds the expert.
Advantages of Plant-Produced Vaccines
Production of the so-called Subunit vaccines have several advantages. First, the cost of their production is lower or similar to that of vaccines produced “conventionally”. For sub-unit vaccines, the production facilities are less complex. The processes of cleaning and preparing vaccines are similar.
— In addition, subunit vaccines are safer. They do not carry the risk of reversion, and as they are of plant origin – the risk of accidental contamination with animal or human pathogens is practically non-existent – adds our expert.
Pniewski also draws attention to the fact that the time to obtain such “plant” vaccines is much shorter than in the case of classic vaccines.
– With the current state of the art and with the right background, it can take two to four weeks to understand the genetic material of the virus and identify the proteins crucial for vaccination. Preparation of the vector and obtaining the first batches of the prototype vaccine for further research another 3-4 weeks. In the case of classic vaccines, it takes months to obtain a vaccine prototype, he adds and adds: “The next steps, such as animal or clinical trials, are the same for classical and subunit vaccines.
In countries such as Germany, Canada and the United States, companies have emerged that produce “plant” vaccines (or antibodies and so-called biopharmaceuticals) on a commercial scale or are at the stage of advanced clinical trials.
Unfortunately, such research is practically not carried out in Poland. Even 10 years ago it was, among others, dr hab. Tomasz Pniewski was involved in such research.
– Research in Poland started more or less at the same time as in the world. In other countries, biotechnology companies have been established since then, and in Poland, the reform of financing science has focused solely on research, the so-called basic or practically implementations. Meanwhile, the development and application research stage has practically no financing – explains Pniewski.
Canadian company Medicago has announced that if preclinical testing of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is successful, clinical trials in humans will take place this summer.
For Philip Morris International, becoming a co-owner of Medicago is another step in phasing out cigarette production and investing in scientifically proven, less harmful alternatives to cigarettes.
The latest news on the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Coverage Worldwide
- Coronavirus in Poland. Actual information
Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected]. You will find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers.
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