[Viral vaccines produced by gene technology and synthesis]

The gradual evolution of vaccine development from Jenner's smallpox vaccine to recombinant genetechnology has provided the basis for prophylactic control of a lot of important infectious diseases of humans and animals. Modern biotechnology has accomplished antigen identification and isolation of antigen determinants as well as the preparation of proteins and synthetic peptides. The application of such techniques has failed, however, to develop a better vaccine in case of FMD-Virus. Present efforts are directed on the improvement of antigen presentation and immunogenicity of such protein- and peptide vaccines.