Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: Ania Szmorlinski on 30/11/2009 10:30:02

Title: How does the GSK malaria vaccine work?
Post by: Ania Szmorlinski on 30/11/2009 10:30:02

Ania Szmorlinski asked the Naked Scientists:
   
A malaria vaccine is being developed by GSK. It is described as Mosquirix and also known as RTS,S and uses a recombinant protein that fuses part of the P falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP) with hepatitis B surface antigen.

Combined with a proprietary adjuvant, RTS,S induces production of antibodies and T cells that interfere with the ability of the malaria parasite to infect humans."
     
Since you've done such a wonderful job of explaining vaccines for viruses such as the flu, would you clarify how this works? Have we had vaccines for other parasites? Are "parasites" such as Malaria the same as other things "parasitic" such as parasitic wasps?

Thank you for helping keep me smarter than my children...

Ania, in Montana, USA

What do you think?

Title: How does the GSK malaria vaccine work?
Post by: Make it Lady on 31/08/2010 21:05:23

I'm not an expert but the vaccine simply builds an immunity to malaria at a very fast rate. It uses proteins found in people that have contracted malaria and have built up immunity. You may want more than this but this is all I know on the subject.