Question

Recombinant DNA vaccines have proved to be an important tool for the treatment of many diseases. How are these vaccines produced? Explain with examples.

Answer 1

A recombinant vaccine is a vaccine produced through recombinant DNA technology. This involves inserting the DNA encoding an antigen (such as a bacterial surface protein) that stimulates an immune response into bacterial or mammalian cells, expressing the antigen in these cells and then purifying it from them. Upon recombinant expression, the HBsAg assembles into virus-like particles (VLPs) which are extremely immunogenic, making it a very effective vaccine. Another example of a recombinant protein vaccine is the vaccine against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).