Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Plant-based vaccine for environmental remediation and contamination prevention

Publication ID: 24-11857613_0002_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Plant-based vaccine for environmental remediation and contamination prevention,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857613_0002_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857613_0002_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,613.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

A novel application of the original vaccine technology to prevent Clostridium perfringens growth in various environmental settings, including soil, water, agricultural facilities, food production, and the built environment.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent focused on protecting poultry from C. perfringens infection. However, C. perfringens is a ubiquitous organism that can contaminate various environments, leading to significant ecological and economic impacts. The new inventive concept addresses this limitation by applying the core vaccine technology to prevent C. perfringens growth in diverse settings.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The new inventive concept involves the development of plant-based vaccines for environmental remediation and contamination prevention. These vaccines would be administered to soil-dwelling organisms, introduced into polluted water sources, applied to agricultural settings, used to prevent contamination in food production facilities, and incorporated into HVAC systems in the built environment. The vaccines would reduce C. perfringens populations and associated toxins, mitigating environmental and health risks.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce a novel application of the original vaccine technology, shifting the focus from poultry protection to environmental remediation and contamination prevention. This inventive step lies in the recognition of the vaccine's potential to address a broader range of C. perfringens-related problems, beyond the original context.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments could include different plant-based vaccine delivery systems, such as nanoparticles or microorganisms, or the use of various plant species for vaccine production. Variations could also involve the development of vaccines targeting other Clostridium species or strains.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including environmental remediation, agriculture, food production, and facility management. The market for environmental remediation alone is projected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by increasing concerns about ecological sustainability and public health.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61K39/08
A A61 A61P31/04
C C12 C12N15/74
C C12 C12N15/8258
A A61 A61K2039/552
A A61 A61K2039/55577

Field of Art

Biotechnology and vaccine development, specifically focusing on microbial control technologies for Clostridium perfringens in environmental and biological systems, with expertise in protein engineering, vaccine design, and microbial population management

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A researcher with advanced degrees in microbiology, biotechnology, or related fields, possessing knowledge of protein engineering, vaccine development techniques, and environmental microbial control strategies, with experience in designing targeted biological interventions

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize the inherent extensibility of the C. perfringens vaccine technology from the source patent, understanding that the core protein-based vaccine mechanism could be readily adapted to environmental control applications. The fundamental principles of targeted microbial intervention demonstrated in the original poultry vaccine naturally suggest broader applications in contamination prevention and environmental remediation. The technical approach of using engineered protein units (PlcC and NetB) to target specific microbial populations represents a generalizable strategy that a skilled practitioner would readily apply to diverse environmental contexts.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Vaccine comprising PlcC and NetB protein units for preventing C. perfringens infection in poultry
PTD Variation
Extending vaccine application to environmental remediation in soil, water, and agricultural settings
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable extension of known vaccine technology to address broader microbial control challenges, utilizing the same fundamental protein engineering approach
Source Patent Element
Specific protein sequence targeting C. perfringens (SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 5)
PTD Variation
Adapting protein sequences for plant-based delivery systems and alternative environmental introduction methods
Obviousness Reasoning
Known protein engineering techniques allow modification of delivery mechanisms while maintaining core antigenic specificity
Source Patent Element
Method of protecting avian species through targeted protein-based intervention
PTD Variation
Expanding intervention strategy to non-biological environmental systems like HVAC and food production facilities
Obviousness Reasoning
Finite and predictable application of a proven microbial control mechanism to alternative contamination prevention contexts
Source Patent Element
Vaccine composition targeting specific protein units of C. perfringens
PTD Variation
Introducing plant-based vaccine delivery mechanisms and alternative carrier systems
Obviousness Reasoning
Well-established biotechnological approach of exploring alternative vaccine delivery technologies using known protein engineering principles
Source Patent Element
Protein-based intervention targeting specific microbial population
PTD Variation
Expanding target to broader environmental C. perfringens populations beyond specific host organisms
Obviousness Reasoning
Logical and predictable extension of targeted microbial control strategy to more generalized environmental management
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857613, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the disclosed plant-based environmental vaccine variations to be obvious extensions of the existing C. perfringens vaccine technology. The fundamental protein engineering approach, targeting mechanisms, and microbial intervention strategies represent predictable variations that would be readily conceived by a skilled practitioner without requiring inventive insight beyond the scope of ordinary technical capabilities.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,613
TitleVaccine for prevention of necrotic enteritis in poultry
Assignee(s)Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of Arizona State University