Narendra Chirmule

Vaccine and Biologics Research, Merck and Co., Inc., Wayne, PA 10987

PREFACE

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of immunological responses has revolutionized the development of vaccines. Until recently, technologies for making vaccines were classified into three main categories: the live attenuated, whole killed/inactivated, and subunit vaccines. These strategies have limited the development of vaccines which require activation of cell mediated immunity, and the use of pathogens for which attenuation is not an acceptable safety paradigm. Furthermore, there has been a paucity of vaccines for therapeutic implications and for non-infectious pathologies. In this respect, development of novel vector systems and adjuvants have permitted expression of heterologous antigens, permitting efficient antigen presentation and appropriate activation of immune systems which will culminate in highly specific efficacy and markedly decrease side effects. Finally, development of vaccination strategies against non-infectious immunological diseases, such as respiratory, and colorectal disorders, autoimmune diseases and prevention and treatment of tumors, have also made significant advances. Strategies for development of these vaccines have been dependent on advancement of knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of regulation of immune responses. Thus, with the expanding technologies it is possible for the first time, to develop vaccines based on rational approaches using molecular tools resulting in safe and effective vaccines. In this issue of the journal, Frontiers in Bioscience, we have reviewed the novel aspects of vaccine design, which include chapters on Current Advances in Molecular Immunology with respect to vaccine Design, Adjuvants, Recombinant proteins as vaccines, Vector Systems, Live Virus Vaccines, Bacterial Vaccines and Cancer Vaccines. Due to the unique nature of this journal, updates on these chapters will be made annually, and additional chapters added as required.

Key Words: Vaccines, Innate immunity, Adjuvants, Antigen presentation, Lymohcyte activation, B cells, T cells, Memory, Review