The use of recombinant DNA technology for the development of a bluetongue virus subunit vaccine

The double-stranded RNA gene coding for the surface antigen responsible for inducing neutralising antibodies has been isolated, converted to DNA, and cloned in the plasmid pBR322. So far, only plasmids containing inserts smaller than the gene have been obtained. Possible strategies for the development of a bluetongue virus subunit vaccine are discussed.