Immunity against flu instead of stomach ulcers

Nobel laureate has developed an edible flu vaccineCopper news

The Nobel Prize winner in Medicine Barry Marshall has developed a vaccine against influenza, for the delivery of which to the human body the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is used to survive in the stomach. According to Bloomberg (Nobel Winner Marshall to Test Cancer-Causing Bug in Drinkable Flu Vaccine), the first stage of clinical trials of the new drug will be held in the United States in 2012, at least 30 people will take part in it.

In the new vaccine, it is proposed to use varieties of helicobacter, which are able to inhabit the human stomach without leading to the development of peptic ulcer disease. Marshall suggests introducing genes encoding some surface proteins of the influenza virus into the bacterial genome. Once in the human body, the bacteria will cause an immune response directed against the virus.

The possibility of using helicobacter without harming health was proved during a preliminary study conducted by Marshall last year in Australia. The participants of the experiment received the bacterium together with meat broth. In the future, preparations based on bacteria are planned to be produced in freeze–dried form - in the form of powders or capsules.

Ondek, a biotech company created by Marshall, is developing a new type of vaccines. As Marshall explained, the company decided to start with a flu vaccine, since this project is the most attractive for potential investors. Meanwhile, theoretically, a similar technology can be used to create vaccines against a number of other infections, as well as to deliver various drugs to the human body.

Barry Marshall received the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology together with Robin Warren in 2005, for the discovery of helicobacter and the description of the role of this bacterium in the development of stomach and duodenal ulcers. 

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru29.06.2011