Towards a plant glyco-vaccine platform (KB-37-004-019)

Several groups of Wageningen University and research have joined forces and raised the project idea to develop a vaccine production platform utilizing Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The unique aspect of this idea is that these plants will carry engineered glycans that result in better vaccines. The project will build a consortium, further develop the proposition and generate materials (presentation and animation) and information to expand this initiative. Wageningen University & Research has unique expertise in glyco-engineering as well as crucial capabilities in virology, immunology, and vaccine testing in animal models. Also, glyco-peptide analytics expertise, which will be crucial for this strategy of vaccine development, will be implemented. SARS-CoV-2 (the virus causing Covid-19) will be utilized as proof of concept, while generating a generic platform.