Steps toward a globally available malaria vaccine Harnessing the potential of algae for future low cost vaccines

• Published in: Bioengineered Vol. 4; no. 3; pp. 164 - 167
• Main Authors: Jones, Carla S., Mayfield, Stephen P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 01.05.2013; Landes Bioscience
• Subjects: Addendum; algae; Antigens, Protozoan - genetics; Antigens, Protozoan - metabolism; Binding; Biology; Bioscience; Calcium; Cancer; Cell; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii - genetics; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii - metabolism; chloroplast engineering; Cycle; Gene Expression; Humans; Landes; malaria; Malaria - parasitology; Malaria - prevention & control; Malaria Vaccines - genetics; Malaria Vaccines - metabolism; Organogenesis; Pfs48/45; Plasmodium falciparum; Plasmodium falciparum - genetics; Plasmodium falciparum - immunology; Plasmodium falciparum - physiology; protein expression; Proteins; transmission blocking vaccine; Plasmodium falciparum; Pfs48/45; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii; chloroplast engineering; algae; malaria; transmission blocking vaccine; protein expression
• DOI: 10.4161/bioe.22577
• ISSN: 2165-5979

Malaria is an infectious disease that threatens half of the world's population. This debilitating disease is caused by infection from parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Insecticides, bed nets and drug therapies have lowered the prevalence and death rate associated with malaria but this disease continues to plague many populations around the world. In recent years, many organizations have suggested developing methods for a complete eradication of malaria. The most straightforward and effective method for this potential eradication will be through the development of a low-cost vaccine. To achieve eradication, it will be necessary to develop new vaccine candidates and novel systems for both the production and delivery of these vaccines. Recently, the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has been used for the recombinant expression of malaria vaccine candidates including the transmission blocking vaccine candidate Pfs48/45. Here, we discuss the potential of this research on the future development of a low-cost malaria vaccine candidate.