Tomatoes could be genetically modified to host vaccines against two of the world’s deadliest viruses, HIV and hepatitis B.
According to research at the Siberian Institute of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry in Irkutsk, tomatoes modified to carry a vaccine for HIV and hepatitis B caused mice to produce high levels of antibodies to target the viruses.
Antibodies were also found on musocal surfaces, where viruses can enter the body during sex.
Experts at the Siberian Institute hope to develop a tablet version of the vaccine to protect humans against the viruses, New Scientist magazine reported this week.
