The H1N1 is spreading fear across the Planet: The following is a short summary of how scientists plan to make a vaccine for this virus
There are 2 methods: The first involves drilling a hole in a hens egg and injecting a small amount of the virus into it. The egg is then left to incubate and after a few days there will be enough of the virus to begin phase 2. Here scientists use reverse genetics and take the surface protein of H and N from the H1N1 virus and mix them with a common lab virus known as PR8. This creates a harmless hybrid which can be used as a vaccine.
The second method involves the same first step with the hens egg. Except this time both the virus and the PR8 virus are injected into the egg allowing a new recombinant strain to be created due to the natural re-assortment of their genes.
The vaccine will trick the immune system of the patient into thinking it has the virus, thereby forcing it to create antibodies for it, so that when the actual virus strikes the antibodies are ready and able to protect the person.
it should take a few months for this vaccine to be commercially available
Reference: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8029917.stm - accessed 3/6/09
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