The cells remained capable of removing mercury over a wide range of environmental conditions, e.g., pH, ionic strength, and the presence of metal chelators and complexing agents. The system operated over a wide range of mercury concentration. This system has the potential to remove mercury from polluted soils and water to comply with the new and more stringent regulations. DNA Vaccines Vaccines are one of the most cost-effective medical technologies in all of history. Using DNA as a vaccine is a new approach that has the potential to eliminate many of the problems associated with traditional vaccines.
Traditional vaccines require the production of pathogenic microbes or their antigenic components.
Killed or subunit vaccines require multiple injections, thereby increasing cost and creating logistical problems. Recombinant vaccines require a non-pathogenic vector that can only be used once. For livestock and poultry there are issues that can limit the use of vaccines. Animals experience stress when being rounded up for vaccination, making multiple vaccinations less desirable. The cost of the vaccine can be too much for ranchers and farmers when the market for animals declines.