Despite the scientific ingenuity of their design, traditional SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines are expensive and require ultracold freezers for storage that are not available in many parts of the world. This makes them inaccessible to third world countries, and no shelf stable, low-cost alternative currently exists. In response, we have constructed a novel COVID-19 vaccine delivery system using the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii. We engineered a plasmid to express the receptor binding domain of the SARS CoV-2 spike protein. The yeast mating type pheromone secretion signal was fused to the N-terminus of the immunogen and the Claudin-4 targeting sequence of the Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin was fused to the C-terminus. Yeast cells secreting this construct are currently being tested in an animal model to determine if they can elicit an immune response.
Support or Funding Information
This research project is supported by COVID-19 grants from Providence College and the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines
lt;pgt;This research project is supported by COVID-19 grants from Providence College and the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippineslt;/pgt;
Proposed Mechanism of Action for the DominiVax Yeast COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery System
