PRESENTATION
EDIBLE VACCINES: THE
FUTURE OF IMMUNINIZATION
A Revolution in Healthcare &
Food Biotechnology
FOOD BIOTECHNOLOGY
Presented To.
Mrs. Ruba Shahid
Presented By.
Anum Kaleem
Bisma Ayyaz
Abeeha Saleem
Bisma Shahid
DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY &
BIOCHEMISTRY
Table of contents
Historical
01 Introduction 02 Background
Production Mechanism Of
03 Process 04 Action
Table of contents
Appplications Challenges and
05 & Benefits
06 Limitations
Ethical
07 Case Studies 08 Concerns
01
INTRODUCTION
Vaccines
The word "vaccine" originates from the Latin word vacca (cow),
linked to Edward Jenner's pioneering work in the 18th
century using cowpox to immunize against smallpox.
A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides immunity to a
specific disease. It typically contains an agent resembling a
disease-causing microorganism, made from weakened, killed
forms, or its toxins or surface proteins.
The process of delivering a vaccine to an individual is called
vaccination.
TYPES OF VACCINES
Edible Vaccines
Definition: Edible vaccines are bioengineered plants
that produce antigens, which, when consumed, elicit
an immune response, effectively immunizing the
individual against specific diseases.
Importance: They aim to address challenges
associated with traditional vaccines, such as high
production costs, the need for cold storage, and the
requirement for medical personnel for
administration.
Hook: Imagine a world where eating a simple piece
of fruit could protect you from deadly diseases—a
seamless blend of nutrition and vaccination.
NEED FOR EDIBLE VACCINES
Cost-Effectiveness: Reduces production, transportation, and
storage costs by using plants as biofactories.
Ease of Administration: Eliminates the need for syringes,
needles, and trained healthcare workers, enabling self-
administration.
Global Accessibility: Simplifies distribution to remote or
underprivileged areas where traditional vaccines are difficult
to deliver.
Improved Compliance: Oral administration is non-invasive,
increasing patient compliance, especially in children.
Rapid Production: Provides a scalable and quick method to
produce vaccines during pandemics or outbreaks.
Enhanced Stability: Reduces the dependency on cold chain
logistics, as plant-based products are more stable.
02
BACKGROUND
& HISTORY
HOW DID THE IDEA EMERGE?
Traditional Vaccines and Their Evolution
Vaccines have historically been the cornerstone of disease prevention,
dating back to the late 1700s with Edward Jenner's pioneering work on
smallpox vaccination.
While effective, traditional vaccines have limitations, such as:
High production costs.
Need for a cold chain to maintain efficacy during transportation.
Needle-based administration, which requires trained healthcare
professionals and can deter some people due to fear or pain.
These challenges spurred the need for alternative solutions that were
more accessible and less resource-intensive.
HOW DID THE IDEA EMERGE?
The Birth of Edible Vaccines
Concept Genesis: The idea of edible vaccines was introduced in the
1990s when Charles Arntzen, a plant biologist, theorized that plants
could be engineered to produce vaccine antigens. His goal was to create
affordable, easily distributed vaccines for developing nations.
Key Insight: Arntzen's motivation came partly from observing the
disparity in vaccine access during his work in Southeast Asia. He
envisioned a world where immunization was as simple as eating a
banana.
His team successfully demonstrated the expression of a hepatitis B
antigen in potatoes, marking the first step toward practical edible
HOW DID THE IDEA EMERGE?
Key Advances Over Time
1990s: Initial experiments focused on staple crops like potatoes and bananas
due to their widespread consumption and ease of genetic modification.
2000s: Researchers began exploring other crops, including rice, tomatoes, and
corn, to diversify potential vaccine platforms. Advances in molecular biology
techniques, like Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, improved the efficiency
of introducing antigen-encoding genes into plant genomes.
2010s to Present: Edible vaccines have expanded beyond human medicine to
include applications in veterinary health. Ongoing research aims to target a
broader range of diseases, such as HIV, cholera, and rotavirus.
HOW DID THE IDEA EMERGE?
HOW DID THE IDEA EMERGE?
NOW WHAT?
Current Status and Future Directions
Status:
While edible vaccines are not yet widely available for public use,
numerous clinical trials and laboratory studies have validated their
potential.
Vision for the Future:
Researchers envision a future where individuals in remote areas or
resource-poor countries can grow their own "vaccine plants," reducing
dependency on complex healthcare infrastructure.
03
PRODUCTION &
PROCESS
PRODUCTION PROCESS
Selection of the Target
Cultivation and
Antigen
Scaling Up
Gene Isolation and Cloning
Harvesting and
Gene Transfer to Plants
Processing
Regeneration of
Quality Control and
Transgenic Plants
Testing
Selection and Screening of
Distribution and
Transgenic Plants
Administration
PRODUCTION PROCESS
PRODUCTION PROCESS
PRODUCTION PROCESS
PRODUCTION PROCESS
04
MECHANISM OF
ACTION
MECHANISM INSIDE THE BODY
Antigen Release: Upon consumption, the plant material reaches
the gut, where it is digested. The antigen remains intact (to a degree)
and is released in the gastrointestinal tract.
Immune System Activation: The gut-associated lymphoid tissue
(GALT), located in the intestinal lining, encounters the released
antigens. Specialized immune cells in the GALT, such as M cells,
transport the antigen to antigen-presenting cells (APCs) like
macrophages and dendritic cells.
Antigen Presentation and Response: APCs process the antigen
and present it to T cells in the immune system. This triggers both the
ACTION
Immune Memory
Formation: Memory B and T
cells are generated, which
"remember" the antigen. This
provides long-term immunity,
enabling the body to mount a
rapid and effective response upon
subsequent exposure to the
pathogen.
MECHANISM INSIDE THE BODY
MECHANISM INSIDE THE BODY
05
APPLICATIONS &
BENEFITS
Where Can Edible Vaccines Make a Difference?
Human Vaccination
Edible vaccines hold immense potential in preventing various diseases,
particularly in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure.
Preventing Infectious Diseases
Hepatitis B: One of the earliest successful edible vaccines was
designed to combat Hepatitis B by incorporating the HBsAg antigen into
potatoes.
Cholera: Cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) has been expressed in plants
like tomatoes to create oral vaccines targeting this waterborne disease.
Rotavirus: Transgenic rice has been developed to deliver antigens
against rotavirus, a major cause of diarrhea in children.
HIV: Research is ongoing to develop edible vaccines for HIV by
Where Can Edible Vaccines Make a Difference?
Pandemic Preparedness:
Edible vaccines could be rapidly deployed during pandemics like COVID-
19 by leveraging plants to produce spike protein antigens. Such
vaccines can be distributed without refrigeration, making them ideal for
low-resource settings.
Veterinary Medicinea
Livestock Immunization:
Diseases like foot-and-mouth disease in cattle can be controlled using
edible vaccines produced in fodder crops like alfalfa. This method
simplifies administration since animals naturally consume the vaccine.
Where Can Edible Vaccines Make a Difference?
Poultry and Aquaculture:
Edible vaccines are being developed for diseases affecting poultry (e.g.,
Newcastle disease) and fish, improving the health of animals in
aquaculture.
Global Public Health Impact
Improved Vaccine Accessibility:
Traditional vaccines often require cold chain logistics, making them
inaccessible in remote areas. Edible vaccines eliminate this barrier by
being stable at room temperature.
.
Where Can Edible Vaccines Make a Difference?
Cost-Effective Immunization:
Cultivating transgenic plants is less expensive than manufacturing vaccines
in bioreactors. They can be grown locally, reducing production and
distribution costs.
Tackling Vaccine Hesitancy:
Needle-free administration appeals to individuals with a fear of needles,
improving vaccination rates. The edible form makes vaccines more
acceptable, especially for children.
Beyond Vaccination: Additional Applications
Therapeutic Proteins:
Edible vaccines can be engineered to produce therapeutic proteins for
conditions like diabetes or hemophilia. For instance, transgenic plants could
Where Can Edible Vaccines Make a Difference?
Biofortification:
The technology used for edible vaccines overlaps with biofortification,
where crops are enriched with vitamins or nutrients (e.g., golden rice for
Vitamin A deficiency).
Environmental and Economic Benefitsa
Reduced Environmental Impact: Traditional vaccine production
often relies on animal-based products or energy-intensive processes.
Edible vaccines minimize reliance on these resources, promoting
sustainable healthcare solutions.
Empowering Local Communities: Farmers can grow vaccine-
producing plants locally, fostering self-reliance and reducing
dependency on imported medical supplies.
Where Can Edible Vaccines Make a Difference?
06
CHALLENGES &
LIMITATIONS
Navigating the approval
process for genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) can be
complex and time-consuming.
Ensuring consistent antigen
levels in each plant and
standardizing dosages pose
significant challenges.
Overcoming skepticism and
ethical concerns related to
GMOs is crucial for widespread
adoption.
Preventing cross-contamination
between transgenic and non-
transgenic crops is essential to
maintain ecological balance.
ROADBLOCKS TO SUCCESS
07
CASE STUDIES
REAL WORLD EXAMPLES!
Edible Vaccines in Tomatoes for Hepatitis B
Institute: University of Hawaii, USA
Vaccine Target: Hepatitis B
Method: Gene encoding Hepatitis B surface antigen inserted
into tomato genome.
Outcome: Tomatoes produced Hepatitis B antigen; animal
models showed immune response.
Challenges: Scaling production, ensuring stability, and
efficacy in humans.
REAL WORLD EXAMPLES!
Edible Vaccines in Rice for Diarrheal Diseases
Institute: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI),
Philippines
Vaccine Target: Diarrheal diseases (e.g., E. coli)
Method: Gene for heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit inserted
into rice genome.
Outcome: Rice induced immune response against E. coli in
animals.
Challenges: Protein stability, scaling production, and public
acceptance of GM foods.
REAL WORLD EXAMPLES!
Edible Vaccines in Potatoes for Cholera
Institute: Kentucky Biotech, USA
Vaccine Target: Cholera
Method: Gene for cholera toxin B subunit inserted into potato
genome.
Outcome: Potatoes induced immunity against cholera in
animal models.
Challenges: Optimizing antigen production, stability during
processing, and human safety.
REAL WORLD EXAMPLES!
REAL WORLD EXAMPLES!
08
ETHICAL
CONCERNS
Balancing Progress with Responsibility
GMOs: Environmental impact
Consumer Safety: Unknown risks
Public Acceptance: Mistrust
Regulatory Issues: Oversight
challenges
Cultural and Religious Beliefs:
Rejection
Intellectual Property: Inequitable
access
Ethical Use of Biotechnology:
Morality debate
Biodiversity Risk: Cross-
