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TOOTH DECAY VACCINEBritish scientists have developed a vaccine which stands a good chance of wiping out tooth decay. The vaccine, made in genetically altered tobacco plants, is simply painted on the teeth. After a few applications, it provides protection from tooth decay for months, and is completely safe for both adults and children. The tasteless liquid contains antibodies that attach themselves to tooth decay bacteria, preventing them from sticking to the teeth.Professor Tom Lehner, one of the scientists heading the research, expected the breakthrough to lead to the erradication of tooth decay. Ultimately, it could be administered by patients themselves, possibly incorporated into toothpaste or mouthwash, though initally i t will have to applied by dentists. Tooth decay is the second most common disease affecting humans. It is caused by the bacterium streptococcus mutans, which produces tooth eroding acid as it feasts on sugar coating the teeth. The breakthrough came as a result of pioneering work producing antibodies from plants. Scientists found a way to transfer the antibidy making gene from aninmals to tobacco plants, which are widely used in this field of research. The plants become living factories, producing large amounts of clean, safe vaccine. Eight small plants or one full grown plant provide enough vaccine for a single treatment. This is the first time a therapeutic molecule made in genetically modified plants has been shown to have an effect on humans. It is also the first time a secretory-as opposed to a blood-vaccine has been used in human trial. The scientists predicted it would cost very little to produce the vaccine on a large scale from fields of tobacco plants. Professor Lehner said that the technique opened up endless possibilities for producing vaccines against a wide range of infections, including sexually transmitted diseases. The team is working in collaboration with a California based company, Planet Biotechnology, which holds the license to develop the vaccine commercially. Clinical trials will start in San Francisco. Professor Lehner said he couldn't understand why no British company had seen the potential of the research. Results from the four month patient trial of the vaccine were published in the journal of Natural Medicine, April, 1998. --> return to menu / back ... (click) --> return to top of the page (click) |
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