Structure of IgGw antibody

*Permission pending from www.suite.101.com*

The term “plantibodies” is simply the term given to antibodies that are synthesized in transgenic foods, which produce antibodies for specific pathogens, which are contracted by organisms other than plants. The plantibodies that this webpage is concerned with are ones that target pathogens that infect human beings. These plantibodies are engineered in plants via insertion of recombinant DNA gene transfer ( Giddings, G. et al 2000 ), which is described in greater detail in the production methods section of this website. The difference between plantibodies and edible vaccines is that plantibodies are pre-made antibodies that are produced in the transgenic plant; whereas edible vaccines promote the production of specific antibodies by the human immune system once the vaccine is administered to the patient. Plantibodies are advantageous for people who are immunosuppressed and are unable to produce antibodies even after they are vaccinated. The problem, however is that these immunodeficient patients are dependent on re-administration of the plantibodies because of their inability to produce their own antibodies for the same pathogen. Although, this situation does not differ from the normal condition that immunodeficient patients are subjected to anyways. The production of plantibodies offers an easier and cheaper production of necessary antibodies for patients that are unable to afford expensive antibiotics. Plantibodies are a great option for those in third world nations that typically are unable to obtain proper medications, like antibiotics, because of the high production expense of antibiotics. Plantibody production can be easily instituted into third world nations and provide an opportunity for those people whom normally are incapable of receiving proper medical attention.

This webpage was created by David Shelburne ’04 & Paul Toran ’03 as an assignment for an

undergraduate course—Bio 361: Genetically Modified Organisms—at Davidson College.

Send comments, questions, and suggestions to: dashelburne@davidson.edu and/or patoran@davidson.edu