Vaccines have proven to be an effective means to protect communities from a
range of human and agricultural pathogens. Unfortunately, costs associated with the
development and manufacturing of vaccines often prevent some of the neediest populations
from receiving and distributing these essential prophylactics. Advances in molecular and
synthetic biology represent potential low cost solutions for enhancing bioproduction. In the
following chapter, we describe a program in which RNA Interference (RNAi) has been
successfully employed to identify gene modulation events that enhance poliovirus
production in vaccine manufacturing cell lines. Transition of this technology into stable
production lines promises to increase overall vaccine manufacturing capabilities – thereby
making these essential, life-saving therapeutics available at an affordable cost.
Keywords: Cell line engineering, host-pathogen interactions, polio, RNA
interference, vaccine.
