By giving the DNA genetic material to code for a key part of the coronavirus (the spike proteins and the receptor binding domain), we are able to teach your body’s immune system how to identify, block, and kill the virus without exposing you to the real thing.
Inside of your cells, the DNA will be translated into a key part of the virus (and only that part so that it does no damage). The protein will be secreted, and your immune cells will have time to recognize it – you make the memory T and B cells so that when you are exposed to the real coronavirus, your body is ready.
Ideally, the DNA will be translated enough so that you mount a full immune response to properly teach all the B and T cells how to handle the coronavirus and develop long term immunity.
DNA Vaccines are also low cost and easy to manufacture relative to their protein counterparts as they can be made in E Coli which is a lot easier to work with than CHO cells. Also downstream processing is easy, as purifying the DNA is cheaper than purifying a protein.
DNA by itself is also very stable – it lasts for years, unlike proteins. You can stockpile it for later for a long time. However, DNA inside of your cells is not as stable. Our current challenge is figuring out how to stabilize the DNA in your cells so that we give your immune system ample time and sample viral proteins to effectively learn how to manage the virus and its infections.
When you inject someone with the DNA plasmid, it goes into muscle cells. Your muscle cells need time to start making and secreting enough protein so your immune system can see it and react to it. Unfortunately, the DNA usually doesn’t stay stable enough for long enough to mount an immune response – your cells have DNAases (enzymes that break down DNA that cause it to degrade).
Read more: biotechprimer.com
