Laboratories > Dr. Hilary Koprowski

Laboratories - Dr. Hilary Koprowski 

1. PAPILLOMA VIRUS VACCINES AGAINST CERVICAL CANCER

   Lavender is non-susceptible to infection with a TMV-based expression system; thus we are turning to various other plants, including Nicotiana benthamiana, Beta vulgaris and Aloe vera. To our surprise and given that A. vera is known to contain microbicidal compounds, we have expressed the human papillomavirus major capsid protein. Further work will aim at increasing the yield, so that production of this potential A. vera-derived vaccine against cervical cancer could be mucosally administered in various forms.

   We are still continuing evaluation of two systems producing vaccines and antibodies in plants:

   1. temporary infection of the plant with a plant virus fused with an antigen and
   2. stable transformation of a plant using systems which we have employed successfully in the past.
      
      
2. GLIOBLASTOMA PROJECT

   We are now completing genetic characterizations of a variety of cells in glioblastoma and in NORMAL TISSUE surrounding glioblastoma.  After finalizing the classification of the cells we will try to determine their role either in the malignant process or as normal bystanders. 

3. ENHANCEMENT OF PLANT-BASED VACCINE IMMUNOGENICITY

   This is an important project which will occupy us during the forthcoming year so that we will have available large amounts of material for final trials in monkeys and in man. 

4. ODDS AND ENDS

   For production of vaccines for intranasal and oral delivery we are using Yerba Santa which has been successfully used by these routes for centuries.  After developing of an efficient transformation system this plant can be utilized for production of vaccines against Avian flu, RSV and other diseases.