The future of vaccination lies in a bowl of salad: Scientists working to use plants as mRNA Factories
Technology
Farmers will be growing entire field of vaccines in future.
(Web Desk) - Juan Pablo Giraldo, an associate professor in University of California-Riverside’s Department of Botany and Plant Sciences has claimed that, there is a possibility that a single plant will be enough to produce the required amount of mRNA for the vaccination of an individual.
Mr. Giraldo is leading the research in this regard with his collaboration partners that include scientists from UC San Diego and Carnegie Mellon University.
Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines work on the immunity of human system by helping the cells to generate a protein that pushes an immune response in human body. mRNA technology being used in the Vaccines for COVID-19 protects the body by preparing it against the disease.
“We are testing this approach with spinach and lettuce and have long-term goals of people growing it in their own gardens,” Giraldo stated while explaining the beneficial approach of their research.
If the plant-based mRNA vaccine becomes a success, this new project may even break the challenge of being kept cold to maintain stability during transport and storage, as it may possess the ability to be stored at room temperature.
He further mentioned that the farmers will be growing entire field of vaccines in future.
