E.coli could now be used transport next-generation vaccines
- Harmless strains of the bacteria were used to create a vaccine capsule
- E.coli was mixed with polymer to create a case, vaccine was inserted into it
- Researchers fed them to mice, the capsules ‘targeted immune system’
- Study claims the capsules could be used as vehicle for cancer treatment
Mia De Graaf For Dailymail.com
1
View
comments
A superbug normally associated with severe food poisoning could be harnessed by scientists to prevent pneumonia, meningitis and even cancer.
Researchers show E.coli bacteria could deliver tomorrow’s vaccines with expert precision and at very little cost.
Ingesting some strains of E.coli can cause crippling stomach pains, chronic diarrhoea and even death, but the majority are safe and beneficial to the digestive system.
But using one of the safe varieties scientists have developed an E.coli-based transport capsule to target specific immune cells.
Using a safe variety scientists have developed an E.coli-based transport capsule to target immune cells
Researchers say the vaccines could prevent pneumococcal disease, which can lead to pneumonia, sepsis, ear infections and meningitis.
And they even believe it could be developed to transport treatment for cancer.
‘It’s a bit counterintuitive given what you hear about E.coli,’ the study’s lead author Blaine Pfeifer, associate professor at the University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, said.
-
Could salmonella be the secret to beating cancer?…
Salad linked to E. coli poisoning: More than 100 people…
‘But there are many strains of the bacteria, most of which are perfectly normal in the body, that have great potential to fight disease.’
In a study published in Science Advances, researchers tested the capsules on mice.
The harmless E.coli sits at the core of the capsule, encased by a chain-link-style synthetic polymer.
The negative-charged bacteria is a catalyst for the positive-charged polymer, creating a capsule shape.
Inside the capsule, the researchers then inserted a protein-based vaccine designed to fight pneumococcal disease.
That capsule was fed to mice.
The team was excited to find the capsules targeted specific immune cells to trigger a response against pneumococcal disease.
In the study, the capsule was fed to mice containing a vaccine to fight pneumococcal disease, which can lead to meningitis (pictured), pneumonia, sepsis, and ear infections
It also enhanced the body’s immune response.
Professor Pfeifer, who led the study with his former student, CEO of Abcombi Biosciences Charles Jones, is hoping the vaccines will one day be used on patients.
He added: ‘It’s also relatively inexpensive to create and flexible in terms of use.
‘For example, the capsule could be used as a delivery device for therapies that target cancer, viral-based infectious disease and other illnesses.’
Share or comment on this article
-
Sickening video of ISIS laughing as ‘screams’ of rape heard
-
Drive-through worker throws drink in man’s car after cheeky…
-
Dad films ‘ghost’ playing on playground swing in Rhode…
-
Crooner in Chief: Obama sings Happy Birthday to Malia
-
Moment racing car flips ‘after girlfriend pulls handbrake’
-
Audacious runner-up in pageant snatches beauty queen’s crown
-
Will adult content be the popularisation of virtual reality?
-
Rat mom saves her baby from a snake in epic roadside battle
-
These ‘Pass Me a Beer’ stunts will leave you in stitches
-
Police carry woman off a plane suspected of being drunk
-
Military shows you what it’s like to be in an artillery…
-
Moment road rage driver punches motorist through car window
-
American student who was found dead in Rome’s Tiber river…
-
Clinton is CLEARED on email scandal: FBI recommends NO…
-
The Olympic GERMS: Drug-resistant ‘super bacteria’ is…
-
Executioner brings down his scimitar as ISIS murder a man…
-
EXCLUSIVE – ‘Sex sessions for £13 and a THREESOME for just…
-
Happy Birthday from Mr President! Besotted (but off-key)…
-
Jesse Williams enjoys some fun in the sun on Hawaiian…
-
Video ‘shows ISIS fighters laughing and joking while a woman…
-
Have we misunderstood the Declaration of Independence?…
-
Premature evacuation: Sex festival is forced to shut down…
-
Seven ISIS fighters who fled the battlefield are BOILED…
-
Huma Abedin admits that Hillary Clinton BURNED her schedules…
Comments (1)
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Find out now