DNA VACCINES AGAINST MALARIA - IMMUNOGENICITY AND PROTECTION IN A RODENT MODEL

Since the first demonstration of the technology a few years ago, DNA v accines have emerged as a promising method of vaccination. In a variet y of experimental systems, DNA vaccines have been shown not only to in duce potent immune responses, but also to offer many advantages in ter ms of ease of construction, testing, and production. In this article w e summarize the progress achieved in development of DNA vaccines that can protect mice from infection by the rodent malaria parasite Plasmod ium yoelii, describe initial studies of immunogenicity of a malaria DN A vaccine in a primate model, and outline the strategies being employe d to design the next generation of malaria DNA vaccines.