The yeast v*cc*ine revolution

(Come to our table at night market to learn more)

Expect a 15-20 minute talk on yeast vaccines, based off an article I wrote a few months ago.

Genetically modified yeast can be used as factories to produce vaccine antigens. Surprisingly, merely consuming this yeast can trigger strong antibody production from inside the gut, including strong mucosal immunity (IgA antibodies). Current vaccines for influenza and COVID-19 do a poor job inducing mucosal immunity, which is why they struggle to prevent infection.

The production of antigens can be turned on and off using maltose. So GMO can be shipped as a "vaccine factory in a tube", not a vaccine.

GMO yeast can be sold openly after GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status is established at the FDA, which is a very low bar (animal studies and/or self reports are often enough, a Phase I trial is not necessary but helps solidify GRAS status).

The benefits are enormous - decentralized production, no cold storage, oral delivery. Dried out and ground-up vaccine yeast put enteric capsules is shelf stable and can be stockpiled.

The potential implications of yeast vaccine technology for both global health and biosecurity are enormous.

Yeast are covered in beta-glucans which may act as a natural adjuvant. M cells in the lining of the gut take up the antigen and trigger an immune response.

Effective oral yeast vaccines have been demonstrated in mice, pigs, chickens, and fish across 20 studies.

Last year an oral yeast vaccine was demonstrated for the first time in humans by Chris Buck, a researcher at the National Cancer Institute at NIH. Provacatively, he did a self-experiment and consumed the yeast as a beer.

Radvac, a biosecurity-focused nonprofit (and 2021 ACX grantee) is now actively doing research in this space.