Q.What is a recombinant DNA vaccine? Give two examples.
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →A recombinant DNA vaccine uses genetically engineered DNA to produce an immune response, without using the actual pathogen.
Recombinant DNA technology has transformed how we approach vaccination. Instead of injecting a weakened or killed pathogen — which carries risks of reversion or incomplete inactivation — scientists can now isolate the gene that codes for a specific antigen (the part of the pathogen that triggers immunity) and insert it into a harmless carrier organism, like yeast or bacteria. This carrier then produces large quantities of the antigen, which is purified and used as the vaccine. The immune system recognises this antigen as foreign and builds memory cells against it, so if the real pathogen ever enters the body, it is neutralised swiftly.
The key advantage is safety. Since the vaccine contains only a purified protein and no whole pathogen, there is zero chance of causing the disease itself. This approach also allows for rapid large-scale production and easy modification if the pathogen mutates.
Recombinant DNA vaccines are not the same as DNA vaccines (which inject the gene directly into the body). Here, the antigen is produced in a lab and then injected.
The NCERT textbook gives two classic examples of such vaccines:
- Recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine: The gene for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is inserted into the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The yeast is grown in culture and produces the antigen, which is then harvested, purified, and used as the vaccine. This was one of the first recombinant vaccines approved for human use. …
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