Scientists in Uzbekistan are testing “an edible transgenic tomato vaccine” to counter the COVID virus, reports Anadolu Agency.
Scientists from the Academy of Sciences’ Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics are working to develop an edible vaccine against the virus by altering the genetics of tomatoes, according to a statement issued by the Innovative Department Ministry on Friday.
After two months, seedlings in the center’s laboratory will grow tomatoes in the form of a vaccine, and people who eat these tomatoes are expected to produce antibodies against the virus, according to the statement.
Scientists cloned the crown part of a coronavirus found in the country and placed it in a plant cell, and as a result, these plant cells acted as a vaccine.
“The experiment showed that the S-protein of the coronavirus, synthesized in a tomato, enters the intestines and awakens the immune system. The produced antibodies will fight the pathogen,” the scientist said, reports Sputnik.
He added that the first phase of clinical trials will begin as soon as the animal experiments are completed.
In Oct 2019, the scientists at Standford were reported to have created a ‘vaccine’ to protect tomato plants.