An antibody is a protein in the serum of animals made in response to an antigen. When the correct antigens are used in a vaccine, antibodies to this antigen protect the animal from disease.

An antigen is any substance (e.g. protein) which is capable of inducing a specific immune response.

Genes of interest are specific genes that are inserted into the RNA platform for either RS or RP vaccine production.

Protective antigenic determinants are the collection of one or multiple antigens that are required for the induction of protective immunity.

A pathogen is any disease producing agent or microorganism.

A polymerase chain reaction is a method of amplification of specific genetic material from a biological sample. The genetic material can then be used for recombination into a vector.

Recombinant is genetic material that codes for an anitgen from the target pathogen is integrated (spliced) into a different organism capable of reproducing large quantities of the antigen.

An RNA particle is a portion of the VEE (Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis) virus which can infect cells on its own and then produce the desired subunit either in the laboratory or directly in the animal. When given directly to the animal, cells are infected and produce the subunits thereby mimicking what occurs during natural infection.

An RNA subunit is a vaccine containing only specific antigens of the pathogen (e.g. HA protein is a subunit of influenza virus). The subunits are produced in the laboratory using an AlphaVax replicon and administered to the animal already formed.

A vector is an organism which serves to transfer recombinant genetic material from a pathogen to cells in a laboratory or directly to the animal.

Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE) is an Alphavirus that is the source of the AlphaVax technology. TC-83 is an attenuated vaccine strain that is not considered a select agent.