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DNA vaccine

Last updated on: 27.01.2021

Synonym(s)

DNA-vaccine

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

DNA vaccines are vaccines that contain only parts of the genome of a pathogen with the genetic information for the blueprint of the respective antigen in the form of DNA instead of the protein of the pathogen. The piece of DNA is inserted into a bacterial plasmid that codes for the antigen. After injection of the vaccine, the DNA is taken up and read in the target cell. To date, there are no approved DNA vaccines in Germany or worldwide.

A DNA vaccine currently in development is, for example, INO-4800 (Inovio Pharmaceuticals). The plasmid is a circular piece of DNA used by a bacterium to store and share genes. Plasmids can replicate independently of the main chromosomal DNA and provide a simple tool for transferring genes between cells. For this reason, they are already an established system in the field of genetic engineering.

Last updated on: 27.01.2021