Physics of Biology

2503 Submissions

[2] viXra:2503.0150 [pdf] submitted on 2025-03-25 02:24:53

[Speculation on the] Development of a Yeast-Expressed Oral Avian Influenza Vaccine Incorporating Conserved HA and NA Antigens and a PltB Adjuvant

Authors: Hyunho Shin
Comments: 14 Pages.

Background: The ongoing spread of avian influenza (AI) in poultry has led to severe losses. In the United States, H5N1 outbreaks by early 2025 necessitated the culling of roughly 148 million laying hens, causing egg shortages and price spikesu200b. Although AI vaccines exist, their use in U.S. poultry has been minimal due to practical and economic barriers, including trade restrictions and vaccination. Objective: This study introduces a novel oral AI vaccine strategy using genetically engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s yeast) to deliver conserved antigenic fragments of the H5N1 hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) proteins, together with a Salmonella-derived Pertussis-like toxin B subunit (PltB) as a mucosal. The goal is to stimulate protective mucosal immunity via feed-based administration, providing a cost-effective and scalable alternative to injectable vaccines. Methods: Conserved epitopes — specifically the HA2 subunit fusion peptide region (amino acids 1—78 of H5) and a portion of the NA1 head domain (amino acids 220—290) — were identified based on high cross-strain conservation and immunogenic. Genes encoding these segments were fused in-frame with the Salmonella PltB gene, separated by flexible linkers, under control of a yeast expression system. The recombinant yeast was grown, inactivated, and formulated into a dry powder to mix with poultry feed. Protein expression and folding were confirmed by Western blot and structural modeling.
Category: Physics of Biology

[1] viXra:2503.0056 [pdf] submitted on 2025-03-09 20:37:55

[Speculation/Exploration on the] Design, Expression, and Oral Delivery of a Recombinant Fusion Protein (Tp0751—CtB—TprK) in Yeast as a Candidate Syphilis Vaccine

Authors: Hyunho Shin
Comments: 9 Pages. (Note by viXra Admin: This article is speculative/exploratory)

Syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum, has resurged globally in recent years, particularly in East Asia, highlighting the urgent need for preventive vaccines. Despite being a well-characterized pathogen, traditional vaccine development for T. pallidum faces substantial challenges due to its inability to be cultured in artificial media. This study presents the development of a novel oral vaccine candidate utilizing recombinant T. pallidum outer membrane proteins TprK and Tp0751 expressed in yeast (Saccharomyces Boulardii). Our approach incorporates a gene cassette containing the conserved N-terminal region of TprK, cholera toxin B subunit (CtB) as an immune adjuvant, and Tp0751, connected by glycine-serine flexible linkers under the control of the ADH promoter. This strategy aims to overcome the cultivation limitations of T. pallidum while potentially inducing protective mucosal immunity through oral administration. Structural analysis using AlphaFold predictions confirms the stability of the recombinant construct. This research represents a significant advancement toward developing an accessible and effective vaccine against syphilis, with important implications for global public health.
Category: Physics of Biology