Chapter 2

Plant Virus Nanoparticles and Virus like Particles (VLPs): Applications in Medicine

Mahbobeh Zamani-Babgohari, Nasir Mahmood, Ghyda Murad Hashim, Sarah Bushra Nasir, Mounir G. AbouHaidar and Kathleen L. Hefferon

Abstract

Both virus like particles (VLPs) and virus nanoparticles (VNPs) are viable platforms for the transportation of drugs, imaging agents, immunogenic ligands and other materials. They can be loaded with genetic material and/or drugs for therapeutic purposes. VLPs possess multivalent molecular settings, which help stimulate various molecular interactions for a potent immune response. VNPs are biodegradable and biocompatible nanoparticles that occur in nature and can be modified with genetic and chemical protocols for therapeutic purposes. There has been considerable research on the use of different VLPs and VNPs as safe and viable platforms for vaccine development, tumor therapy and other medical applications. The following chapter provides insight into applications of plant VLPs and VNPs in medicine.

Total Pages: 32-46 (15)

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