DNA Vaccines
You might have heard about the
hepatitis A vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine, polio vaccine and many more like
these but have you ever heard about the DNA vaccines. Well if you don't know
then don't worry we will explain you what the hell it is, all about.
Vaccination is a process by which we
stimulate our immune system to create antibodies against some specific antigens
like viruses, bacteria etc. Under normal vaccination we inject either weakened
or dead viruses into our body. Since these are weakened or dead our body is
able to fight with them and stores it in our memory, so that when in future the
same attack happens our body is fully prepared to fight and win the war.
Since in some cases we inject
weakened virus so some humans especially children who have very weak, immune
system leads to disease rather than creating a defense system against it, in
the body.
So scientists in order to overcome
this drawback developed DNA vaccine. So rather than introducing a virus or
bacteria (antigen, or part of) to provoke a protective immune response in the
form of antibodies, DNA vaccines only carry the agent's genetic code. The
result is the same – antibodies are produced that remain in the body to guard
against infection; the middleman infectious agent that is injected to create a
same response remains in a test tube out of harm's way.
The field of DNA vaccination is
developing rapidly. Vaccines currently being developed use not only DNA, but
also include adjuncts that assist DNA to enter cells, target it towards
specific cells, directing the immune response.
The DNA vaccine has proven to be one
of the most promising discoveries in the field of gene therapy. Due to its
unique ability to readily induce immune responses, it attracted great interest
and attention.
The main advantage of DNA vaccines is
that they can circumvent the general reinfection danger because they contain
only DNA and not infectious agents. It also offer other advantages like, DNA
vaccines are stable at a wider range of temperatures, reducing the need for
costly and logistically challenging cold-delivery chains that prevent
treatments getting to where they are most needed, particularly in the developing
countries and in them also, the far flunked
villages.
DNA vaccines are surely a boon for
humans.
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