CRHCT: Cost-Reducing Protein Production and Delivery Methods

9729226 Arntzen性传播疾病对一般人口构成重大威胁，但这一问题在城市环境中更为普遍。因此，每年有1200万美国人包括300万青少年感染这些疾病。这是一个影响到家庭和社区的重要社会问题。减少这些疾病的发病率将是影响未来几年社会科学思维的一个因素。该研究旨在利用转基因植物蛋白和基于聚合物的递送系统，寻找一种廉价的预防性传播疾病（STD）的新方法。具体来说，一种聚合物包裹的口服蛋白抗原将用于预防感染。该研究旨在解决三个主要问题：1)廉价的蛋白质生产方法。从植物中获取蛋白质是一种比实验室生产成本更低的选择。2)自行（口服）给药系统。3)提高对生物工程对疾病预防经济学潜在影响的认识。其他类型的输送系统将被考虑，可能更有效地处理其他疾病，如生殖器疱疹，乙型肝炎和艾滋病。这项研究是康奈尔大学一个研究项目的组成部分，由BES-9708250资助。＊＊＊

9729226 Arntzen Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) represent a significant threat to the general population but this problem is even more prevalent in the urban environment. As a result 12 million Americans including 3 million teenagers acquire these diseases each year. This is an important social problem that has an impact on families and the community. Reducing the incidence of these diseases would be a factor in influencing social science thinking for years to come. The research to be conducted is directed toward a novel inexpensive approach to sexually-transmitted disease (STD) prevention using transgenic plant proteins and a polymer- based delivery system. Specifically, a polymer-encapsulated orally-delivered protein antigen would be used to prevent infection. The research seeks to solve three major problems: 1) Inexpensive methods for protein production. Obtaining protein from plants represents a less expensive alternative to laboratory production. 2) A self-administered (orally) delivery system. 3) Improving awareness of the potential impact of bioengineering on the economics of disease prevention. Other types of delivery systems will be considered that may be more effective in dealing with other diseases such as genital herpes, Hepatitis B, and AIDS. This research is being conducted as a component of a research project at Cornell University supported by award BES-9708250. ***