MODIFICATION OF VACCINES FOR ORAL VACCINATION OF FISH

THIS RESEARCH PROPOSAL ATTEMPTS TO DEVELOP ORAL DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR VACCINE AND VACCINES TO FISH AS AN EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO CURRENT VACCINATION METHODS SUCH AS INTRAPERITONEAL INJECTION AND IMMERSION VACCINATION. IT DEALS WITH BASIC BIOCHEMICAL AND PSYSIOLOGIC DETERMINANTS FOR THEIR ORAL DELIVERY. ITS SPECIFIC AIM IS TO EXAMINE FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE LYMPHATIC UPTAKE OF MACROMOLECULAR THERAPEUTIC AGENTS FROM THE GASTROINTESTINAL (GI) TRACT SO AN IMMUNOLOGICALLY INTACT, THERAPEUTICALLY COMPETENT VACCINE, VIBRIO ANGUILLARUM, CAN BE ADMINISTERED ORALLY TO RAINBOW TROUT, ONCORHYNCHUS MYKISS. IN THIS RESEARCH, WE PROPOSE TO DELIVER MODIFIED VACCINE TO THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM VIA ORAL ADMINISTRATION BY MIMICKING THE LYSOPHOSPHATIDYCHOLINE PATHWAY OF FAT ABSORPTION IN FISH.