Title: Discussion Forum Description - Week 7: Bacterial Transformation with Plasmids
Course: Lab Applications of Microbiology > Section: Course Content

Right now, in early 2016, the Zika virus has been found to be sweeping through Central and South American, with severe birth defects attributed to it. One of the methods proposed for vaccine development involves plasmid DNA.

Read more about it in this news story: Fears that Zika causes brain damage in infants sparks vaccine hunt

Do you think the plasmid-based approach will succeed? Describe one advantage, and one disadvantage that you see to this approach.