The implications of the proposed vaccines introduced by this research could be immense. Along with the advantages over traditional vaccines, they may be applicable to infectious diseases of which no preventative measures are currently known. Effective immunization for infectious diseases could include innoculation from:
BSE/ Cholera, Dengue, Ebola virus, Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, Hepatitis B, C viruses; Herpes simplex virus, HIV, Influenza, Malaria, Meningitis-causing enteroviruses, Papilloma virus, Rabies virus, Tuberculosis, and Yellow Fever.
In addition, DNA epitope vaccines may elicit protective immune responses against cancer. Induced response against identified T cell epitopes including the inhibition of tumor growth could be the result of this break-through technology.
For a great look at some common viruses, check out The Big Picture Book of Viruses at http://www.tulane.edu/~dmsander/Big_Virology/BVFamily Genome.html
For more information about DNA Vaccines in general, check out the National Center for Infectious Diseases perspectives on emerging infectious diseases at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol2no3/whalen.html
and the DNA vaccine webs internet site at
http://www.genweb.com/Dnavax/dnavax.html
