Editing Vaccine (section)

=== Genetic vaccine ===
{{main|Genetic vaccine}}

Genetic vaccines are based on the principle of uptake of a nucleic acid into cells, whereupon a protein is produced according to the nucleic acid template. This protein is usually the immunodominant antigen of the pathogen or a surface protein that enables the formation of neutralizing antibodies. The subgroup of genetic vaccines encompass viral vector vaccines, RNA vaccines and DNA vaccines.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

==== Viral vector ====
{{main|Viral vector vaccine}}

Viral vector vaccines use a safe [[virus]] to insert pathogen genes in the body to produce specific [[antigen]]s, such as surface [[protein]]s, to stimulate an [[immune response]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vaccines.gov/basics/types |title=Vaccine Types |website=Vaccines.org |publisher=Office of Infectious Disease of the [[United States Department of Health and Human Services]] |access-date=13 March 2021 |archive-date=23 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523191043/https://www.vaccines.gov/basics/types |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/hcp/viral-vector-vaccine-basics.html |title=Understanding and Explaining Viral Vector COVID-19 Vaccines |publisher=[[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] |access-date=13 March 2021 |archive-date=2 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202160930/https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/hcp/viral-vector-vaccine-basics.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Viruses being researched for use as viral vectors include adenovirus, vaccinia virus, and [[Indiana vesiculovirus|VSV]].

====RNA====
{{main|RNA vaccine}}

An mRNA vaccine (or [[RNA vaccine]]) is a novel type of vaccine which is composed of the nucleic acid RNA, packaged within a vector such as lipid [[nanoparticle]]s.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Garde | first1=Damian | last2=Feuerstein | first2=Adam | title=How nanotechnology helps mRNA Covid-19 vaccines work | website=STAT | date=1 November 2020 | url=https://www.statnews.com/2020/12/01/how-nanotechnology-helps-mrna-covid19-vaccines-work/ | access-date=21 December 2020 | archive-date=1 December 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201210905/https://www.statnews.com/2020/12/01/how-nanotechnology-helps-mrna-covid19-vaccines-work/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Among the [[COVID-19 vaccine]]s are a number of RNA vaccines to combat the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and some have been approved or have received [[emergency use authorization]] in some countries. For example, the [[Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine|Pfizer-BioNTech]] vaccine and [[Moderna COVID-19 vaccine|Moderna mRNA]] vaccine are approved for use in adults and children in the US.<ref>{{cite web | author=CDC | title=COVID-19 and Your Health | website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | date=11 February 2020 | url=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html | access-date=21 December 2020 | archive-date=3 March 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303003047/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Banks | first=Marcus A. | title=What Are mRNA Vaccines, and Could They Work Against COVID-19? | website=Smithsonian Magazine | date=16 July 2020 | url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/mrna-vaccines-covid-19-180975330/ | access-date=21 December 2020 | archive-date=21 December 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221010102/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/mrna-vaccines-covid-19-180975330/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Branswell | first=Helen | title=FDA grants authorization to Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine | website=STAT | date=19 December 2020 | url=https://www.statnews.com/2020/12/18/fda-eua-moderna-vaccine-covid19/ | access-date=21 December 2020 | archive-date=21 December 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221163920/https://www.statnews.com/2020/12/18/fda-eua-moderna-vaccine-covid19/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

====DNA====
{{main|DNA vaccine}}

A DNA vaccine uses a [[DNA]] [[plasmid]] (pDNA)) that encodes for an antigenic protein originating from the pathogen upon which the vaccine will be targeted. pDNA is inexpensive, stable, and relatively safe, making it an excellent option for vaccine delivery.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cuffari |first=Benedette |date=17 March 2021 |title=What is a DNA Vaccine? |url=https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-a-DNA-based-vaccine.aspx |access-date=14 January 2024 |website=News-Medical.net |archive-date=14 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114104703/https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-a-DNA-based-vaccine.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

This approach offers a number of potential advantages over traditional approaches, including the stimulation of both B- and T-cell responses, improved vaccine stability, the absence of any infectious agent and the relative ease of large-scale manufacture.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DNA Vaccines |url=https://www.who.int/teams/health-product-policy-and-standards/standards-and-specifications/vaccines-quality/dna |access-date=14 January 2024 |website=[[World Health Organization]] (WHO) |archive-date=14 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114104704/https://www.who.int/teams/health-product-policy-and-standards/standards-and-specifications/vaccines-quality/dna |url-status=live }}</ref>