An mRNA vaccine protects mice against deadly plague bacteria

The bacterium Yersinia pestis causes frequent outbreaks that kill individuals, however a brand new vaccine primarily based on leading edge expertise has proven promise in a mouse examine

By Carissa Wong

An experimental vaccine has been discovered to guard mice from a deadly dose of the bacterium that causes the plague.

Famous for killing thousands and thousands in Europe within the Middle Ages, the bacterium Yersinia pestis nonetheless causes frequent lethal outbreaks, together with current ones in Madagascar, India, China and the US. It is normally handled with antibiotics, but when antibiotic-resistant strains of Y. pestis emerge, different measures shall be wanted, resembling vaccines.

Vaccines containing reside or useless Y. pestis micro organism have been used prior to now, …