Hydrogelated Bacteria as Antibacterial Vaccines

Abstract

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed a vaccine platform utilizing non-replicating, metabolically active Cyborg Pathogens to combat multi-antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Full Description

This vaccine technology employs a novel approach called intracellular hydrogelation to create Cyborg Pathogens. These engineered pathogens are non-replicating yet remain metabolically active, allowing them to stimulate a robust immune response without the risk of causing infection. Designed to target formidable pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, the platform merges the efficacy of live vaccines with the safety of killed vaccines, offering a promising solution to antibiotic resistance.

Applications

• Prophylactic vaccines for hospital-acquired infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. 
• Vaccines for populations at high risk of infections due to chronic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, diabetes, or pulmonary diseases. 
• Platform technology for the development of vaccines against a broad range of bacterial pathogens beyond the initial targets.

Features/Benefits

• Combines live vaccine efficacy with killed vaccine safety through non-replicating, metabolically active pathogens. 
• Capable of expressing multiple antigens, enhancing immune response breadth and potency. 
• Eliminates risk of infection or disease reversion, addressing a significant concern with live attenuated vaccines. 
• Minimizes autoimmune risks by trapping cytosolic proteins within bacterial cells. 
• Demonstrates over 80% survival against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in mouse models with a single dose. 
• Rapid and cost-effective production, enabling quick scalability. 
• Potential for broad application across various pathogens. 
• Addresses the critical need for effective vaccines against multi-antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 
• Overcomes limitations of traditional vaccine platforms by ensuring safety and maintaining metabolic activity for immune stimulation. 
• Solves the challenge of rapid and cost-effective vaccine production against a backdrop of evolving bacterial resistance. 
• Reduces the risk of autoimmune responses often associated with other vaccine types.

Patent Status

Patent Pending