Can someone explain how the DNA vaccine differ from a traditional vaccine?

Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "DNA vaccine" to get these possible sources:

http://people.ku.edu/~jbrown/dnavac.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_vaccine

I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.

The DNA vaccine differs from a traditional vaccine in terms of how it stimulates the immune system. Traditional vaccines typically contain inactivated or weakened forms of the virus or bacteria they are targeting. These components prompt the immune system to recognize and mount a response against the pathogen.

On the other hand, DNA vaccines work by introducing a small piece of the pathogen's DNA into cells within the body. This DNA encodes for specific proteins or antigens from the pathogen. Once the DNA is taken up by cells, they use it as instructions to produce these antigens. The immune system then recognizes these antigens as foreign and mounts an immune response against them.

To understand this difference, you can refer to reputable sources such as the ones I found through a Google search:

1. The link http://people.ku.edu/~jbrown/dnavac.htm provides detailed information about DNA vaccines, including their history, development, and mechanisms of action.

2. The link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_vaccine will take you to the Wikipedia page dedicated specifically to DNA vaccines. It offers a general overview of the topic and provides references for further reading.

By exploring these sources, you will gain a more in-depth understanding of how DNA vaccines differ from traditional vaccines.