Brazilian scientists extract made from soy could … – NTN24

A group of Brazilian scientists have developed technology to extract from transgenic soybeans a protein found in algae and has already proved capable of preventing the AIDS virus attack vaginal cells of women reported Sunday State Agency Brazil.

The technology allows for the Cyanovirin commercially call, a protein that American scientists identified the blue-green algae type (Nostoc ellipsosporum) but whose production in marine plants is not sufficient to ensure the development of medicines.

A gel developed from Cyanovirin and women can be applied in the vagina before intercourse and was tested successfully to combat AIDS transmission and prevent the multiplication of HIV virus in the human body.

The technology to produce the protein in the transgenic soybean, developed by researchers at the governmental Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), was highlighted in the latest issue of the international journal Science.

“We were working to reach this stage for five or six years. We got to accumulate a lot of Cyanovirin in transgenic soybean and got purify the substance “, said the specialist Elíbio Rech, a researcher at Embrapa.

According to the scientist, GM soy is so far the most effective and feasible to produce large-scale biological protein factory.

The Brazilian project started in 2005 and has the support of the National Institute of Health, USA and the University of London , aims to develop a gel with antiviral properties that women can use to prevent the spread of AIDS when not using condoms.

“Our focus is primarily Africa, where many of the women are AIDS contaminated by their peers because they do not have a culture that values ​​the use of condoms. With this product, women no longer depends on the man wants or not use condoms because it is preventable “, he explained.

The Brazilian technology provides for the development of a soybean GM to which introduces a gene that induces the plant to produce large-scale protein of interest in their seeds.

Scientists at Embrapa tested Cyanovirin production from plants of snuff and cultures of bacteria and yeasts, but the use of GM soy was more feasible

Collaboration. EFE