1.4 - Vaccination

What is vaccination?

A medical intervention that introduces antigens to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies.

How does a vaccine activate the immune system?

It triggers an immune response by mimicking a natural infection, leading to memory cell formation.

How has vaccination impacted disease trends in our country?

It has significantly reduced or eliminated many infectious diseases.

What methods are used to produce vaccines in the lab?

Inactivated/killed pathogens, live-attenuated organisms, toxoids, and recombinant DNA technology.W

What is recombinant DNA technology?

Techniques used to manipulate DNA by inserting genes into plasmids and host cells.

What molecular tools are used in recombinant DNA assembly?

Restriction enzymes and DNA ligase.

How can recombinant DNA and bacterial cells be used to produce vaccines?

By inserting antigen-encoding genes into plasmids, which are introduced into bacteria that produce the antigens.

How can engineered plasmids be inserted into bacterial cells?

Through transformation, often using heat shock or electrophoration.

What is epidemiology?

The study of how diseases spread and can be controlled in populations.

How do epidemiologists assist with disease detection, prevention, and treatment?

By tracking outbreaks, identifying risk factors, and creating public health strategies