To create a safer vaccine vector, we created a T7 bacteriophage-based vaccine platform to target the commensal E. coli, in which the protein expressions of GFP or ovalbumin was regulated by T7 promoter and enhanced by our novel g10.RBS. The phage vaccine vector platform not only can be utilized for further pathogenic antigen vaccine development by replacing the Ova gene, but also can be submitted to animal test with other supplements or adjuvants of interests, as well as in pre-clinical trials. Our product of this phage vaccine platform both benefits scientific research in the laboratory and has potential applications in the real world.

For Research Uses in the Laboratory

Due to the creation of this new model, we believe that this could be exploited by future researchers. With the model being established, engineers could then use it for various products. This could be put into practice by changing a few of the parts already included.

For End Users Around the Globe

Like some of the phage therapeutics are administered simply and orally through a drink, our team finds phage-based vaccines to be an efficient and viable way to apply our project to the real world. The farming livestocks and people in rural areas often have less access to some necessities in health care which leads to an unbalanced distribution of medical resources. Therefore, we propose that our project model could be applied to the manufacturing of vaccines in order to help animals and people who lack supplies.

Our Expectations

We envision our project to be combined with vaccines, and thus will be known as a drinkable vaccine. In plain words, this animal-friendly method meets the moral goals of treating them with the least harm possible. In addition, by mixing these oral vaccines with their fodders or water could lower costs, time and the labor needed. For us humans, rural areas would no longer be left out of the world—they could gain prompt access to edible vaccines due to its convenient nature (no need for vaccinators, easy packaging, etc.)

Executing

To achieve this goal, we will modify the model ovalbumin gene sequence into a specific antigen(such as spike protein) sequence, and the phage taken in can then infect the E. coli in the large intestine, thus producing antigens that will be detected by the immune system. With this, the body would then go through primary immune response and the implemented project will be able to work as an oral vaccine against the targeted disease.

Safety Considerations

However, some safety issues must be considered in this application. The risk of modified organisms leaking out into the environment is indeed a hot potato, as modified organisms tend to break the environmental balance. Nevertheless, different from bacterias, the engineered phages we’re using need specific hosts to reproduce, so as inferior species, the engineered phages will not have the ability to replicate itself in the wild. As a result, our proposed implementation will be a feasible option for vaccine developments.

Future Challenges

Even with all the efforts above, there are still certain challenges for us to deal with. First of all, the effectiveness of each type of vaccine applied remains unknown, so further research must be conducted. Secondly, the production process might meet with difficulties such as contamination, so quality control is required. Furthermore, the preservation of the needles still needs to be confirmed and analyzed. Additionally, the costs for campaigns and all sorts will have to be carefully considered. Whereas time also poses a potential problem as each individual vaccine has to go through various stages of experiments. Despite these difficulties, the advantages are significantly larger than the drawbacks, so we have high hopes for future implementations.