Vaccine Article #1:
Flu Vaccines Go Nano – June 2013
Summary (4-5 sentences)
Current flu vaccines do not contain the exact virus present in the flu, thus causing people to still get the flu. Later, a virologist, Nabel ( Masaru Kenkiyo ), using the new and improved knowledge of nanotechnology, created the nano-particle vaccine for the H1 protein. This new vaccine proved to be better than the traditional vaccine, and decreased the risk of getting that disease. It is believed that these new nano-particle vaccines will be for all other proteins, giving strong immunity to all types of flu.
Background Information (from BC Science 8 Textbook)
What is a vaccine?
A vaccine is a shot of weakened disease pathogens given to someone to keep the patent from getting the disease later on.
Where does the word “vaccine” come from?
The word “vaccine” comes from the word “vaccination”, which arose from the experiment in 1796 in which a small boy was given cowpox, and when given smallpox after recovery, the boy did not show any symptoms of smallpox. The term “vaccination” was coined then.
Why does a vaccine have to be specifically prepared version of a disease pathogen?
A vaccine has to be a specifically prepared version of a disease pathogen because the exact pathogen must be present in the vaccine to prevent someone from getting the disease from that pathogen. If the exact pathogen is not in the vaccine, the patent will still risk getting the disease, as his or her body is not prepared for the pathogen.
Questions specific to Article
How do scientists currently decide what virus strains to use when creating vaccines?
Scientists currently decide what virus strains to use by monitoring and then estimating the viruses that will be present in the future flu season. They monitor the pattern of the virus mutations and genes swapping.
How long does it take to currently make vaccines?
It currently takes from roughly six to nine months to make vaccines.
How did virologist (a scientist who studies viruses) Masaru Kenkiyo create the new nano-particle vaccine?
This virologist created the new nano-particle vaccine by inserting hemagglutinin proteins (H1) to a natural substance called ferritin. The particles of the ferritin automatically join into a ball shape, leaving out 8 small gaps just wide enough for the H1, making it a great foundation for these types of vaccines. The ferritin and H1 genes are fused together, forming a ball with 8 spikes. This was made possible with the recent technological advancements in nano-particles.
What are the benefits of the nano-particle vaccine?
There are many benefits of the nano-particle vaccine. Those injected with this vaccine became much more immune to the disease than the traditional vaccine. As well, when the pathogen is injected with the nano-particle vaccine, the body can generate antibodies to attach to all parts of the pathogen, destroying them more easily. As well, this vaccine is better than the traditional vaccine, as it does not require a large quantity of viruses with a risk of being harmful to be injected into a chicken egg. The necessary proteins are chosen to make the nano-particle vaccine, as opposed to growing whole viruses in an egg in the traditional vaccine.
Flu Vaccines Go Nano – June 2013
Summary (4-5 sentences)
Current flu vaccines do not contain the exact virus present in the flu, thus causing people to still get the flu. Later, a virologist, Nabel ( Masaru Kenkiyo ), using the new and improved knowledge of nanotechnology, created the nano-particle vaccine for the H1 protein. This new vaccine proved to be better than the traditional vaccine, and decreased the risk of getting that disease. It is believed that these new nano-particle vaccines will be for all other proteins, giving strong immunity to all types of flu.
Background Information (from BC Science 8 Textbook)
What is a vaccine?
A vaccine is a shot of weakened disease pathogens given to someone to keep the patent from getting the disease later on.
Where does the word “vaccine” come from?
The word “vaccine” comes from the word “vaccination”, which arose from the experiment in 1796 in which a small boy was given cowpox, and when given smallpox after recovery, the boy did not show any symptoms of smallpox. The term “vaccination” was coined then.
Why does a vaccine have to be specifically prepared version of a disease pathogen?
A vaccine has to be a specifically prepared version of a disease pathogen because the exact pathogen must be present in the vaccine to prevent someone from getting the disease from that pathogen. If the exact pathogen is not in the vaccine, the patent will still risk getting the disease, as his or her body is not prepared for the pathogen.
Questions specific to Article
How do scientists currently decide what virus strains to use when creating vaccines?
Scientists currently decide what virus strains to use by monitoring and then estimating the viruses that will be present in the future flu season. They monitor the pattern of the virus mutations and genes swapping.
How long does it take to currently make vaccines?
It currently takes from roughly six to nine months to make vaccines.
How did virologist (a scientist who studies viruses) Masaru Kenkiyo create the new nano-particle vaccine?
This virologist created the new nano-particle vaccine by inserting hemagglutinin proteins (H1) to a natural substance called ferritin. The particles of the ferritin automatically join into a ball shape, leaving out 8 small gaps just wide enough for the H1, making it a great foundation for these types of vaccines. The ferritin and H1 genes are fused together, forming a ball with 8 spikes. This was made possible with the recent technological advancements in nano-particles.
What are the benefits of the nano-particle vaccine?
There are many benefits of the nano-particle vaccine. Those injected with this vaccine became much more immune to the disease than the traditional vaccine. As well, when the pathogen is injected with the nano-particle vaccine, the body can generate antibodies to attach to all parts of the pathogen, destroying them more easily. As well, this vaccine is better than the traditional vaccine, as it does not require a large quantity of viruses with a risk of being harmful to be injected into a chicken egg. The necessary proteins are chosen to make the nano-particle vaccine, as opposed to growing whole viruses in an egg in the traditional vaccine.