Plasmid DNA from Pfizer COVID Vaccine Manufacturing

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Dr. Buckhault using his own funds and with assistance from USC students and facilities, took advantage of the opportunity to check mRNA vaccine batches for DNA fragments. He found them and his concerns, taken at face value, seem valid and reasonable to me.
Last week, Phillip Buckhaults, PhD addressed the South Carolina Senate on the subject of DNA fragments the USC lab has found in batches of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. Those fragments are from plasmids used by Pfizer in the large-scale manufacturing of their vaccine - but not in the early batches used in their early studies.

His address was about 34 minutes in length and is included in a "News Break" news article.

His study was ad hoc and he does not believe his finding rise to the quality level of peer-review publication.

Dr. Buckhaults is a professor at the University of South Carolina. His lab research has focused on "Determining biochemical mechanisms by which germline variants contribute to cancer health disparities that exist between people of different ethnic ancestries" and "Using genome sequencing and functional genomics to develop novel personalized medicine approaches to treat colon cancer".

He said that the DNA levels in the Pfizer vaccine batches are near the regulatory limit - in some batches a bit over. But the DNA is encapsulated in lipids and those limits are not appropriately addressed in the FD regulations. He also found DNA in the Moderna vaccine, but at lower levels.

His conclusions (from his PowerPoint):
We should check a bunch of vaccinated people to see if plasmid DNA has integrated into their genomic DNA.
We (you [government]) should insist that the USFDA force Pfizer to get the DNA out of the booster and all future mRNA based vaccines.
The regulation that allowed the DNA to be there should be changed. It's a leftover from previous vaccines that contained only naked DNA. The mRNA vaccines have this DNA encapsulated in a lipid nanoparticle delivery system (trojan horse) and so the DNA is a far more serious issue.
...

I very much expect that this will become an unavoidable public conversation.
Although Dr. Buckhaults is supportive of COVID vaccination, and expressed his support in his address, I have already seen postings that are using his address to argue against the programs - in terms we are probably all well-familiar with.
 
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We were having a brief conversation about this earlier this week. It's definitely fuel for any anti vaxxers to get carried away with until more information is determined.

Meanwhile, while it gave excuse for a few to complain about why their own (intentional) transfections weren't working lol.
 
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What is plasmid DNA used for in the Pfizer COVID vaccine manufacturing process?

Plasmid DNA is used as a template to produce the mRNA that is the active ingredient in the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The plasmid contains the genetic code for the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is used by the vaccine to elicit an immune response in the body.

How is plasmid DNA produced for vaccine manufacturing?

Plasmid DNA is produced through a process called bacterial fermentation. Specifically engineered bacteria, typically E. coli, are grown in bioreactors where they replicate the plasmid DNA. Once a sufficient amount is produced, the plasmid DNA is isolated and purified from the bacteria.

Is plasmid DNA present in the final Pfizer COVID vaccine formulation?

No, plasmid DNA is not present in the final vaccine formulation. It is used only during the early stages of mRNA synthesis. The mRNA is extracted and purified, removing any residual plasmid DNA, before it is encapsulated into lipid nanoparticles to form the vaccine.

What safety measures are taken to ensure the plasmid DNA is safe for use in vaccine production?

Strict regulatory and quality control measures are in place to ensure the safety of plasmid DNA used in vaccine production. This includes testing for purity, absence of contaminants, and verification of the genetic sequence. Additionally, the plasmid DNA must be produced in facilities that adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Why is plasmid DNA considered a key component in mRNA vaccine technology?

Plasmid DNA is crucial because it provides a stable, reliable, and efficient template for producing large quantities of mRNA. This is essential for the scalability of mRNA vaccine production, allowing manufacturers to produce millions of doses needed for widespread vaccination efforts.

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