CRHCT: Cost-Reducing Protein Production and Delivery Methods

9729226阿恩岑的性传播疾病对普通民众构成重大威胁，但这一问题在城市环境中更为普遍。因此，每年有1200万美国人感染这些疾病，其中包括300万青少年。这是一个对家庭和社区都有影响的重要社会问题。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。将进行的研究旨在寻找一种新的廉价方法，使用转基因植物蛋白和基于聚合物的递送系统来防止性传播疾病(STD)。具体地说，一种聚合物包裹的口服蛋白抗原将用于预防感染。这项研究试图解决三个主要问题：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的潜在影响的认识。其他类型的递送系统将被考虑，这些系统在治疗其他疾病方面可能更有效，如生殖器疱疹、乙肝和艾滋病。这项研究是作为康奈尔大学研究项目的一个组成部分进行的，该项目由BES-9708250奖资助。***

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. ***