May 6, 2009

                               

 

Researchers from the Iowa State University are putting flu vaccines into the genetic makeup of corn in the hope that pigs and humans will get a flu vaccination simply by eating corn or corn products.

 

Project researcher Hank Harris said they are trying to figure out which genes from the H1N1 virus to incorporate into corn so that the genes, when expressed, would produce protein.

 

When the pig consumes that corn, it would serve as a vaccine, Harris said.

 

The corn vaccine would also work in humans when they eat corn or any products that contain corn, according to the researchers.

 

This collaborative effort project involves Harris and Brad Bosworth, an affiliate associate professor of animal science working with pigs, and Kan Wang, a professor in agronomy, who is developing the vaccine traits in the corn.

 

If the research goes well, the corn vaccine may be possible in five to seven years. The researchers are currently waiting for Wang to produce the corn as they start initial experiments in mice to show that the vaccine might induce an immune response, Bosworth said.

 

But the team needs more answers, and whether the genes will work when given orally through corn has yet to be determined, said Harris.

 

Stability and safety are several advantages to the corn vaccine. Once the vaccine-corn is grown, it can be stored for long-term without losing its potency, the researchers said.

 

If the H1N1 virus breaks out, the corn could be shipped to the location to try to vaccinate animals and humans in the area quickly. Because corn grain is used as food and feed, there is no need for extensive vaccine purification, which can be an expensive process.