Virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccines have been in the market since decades
for preventing viral infection and have proven their usefulness also in other
areas of biotechnology. Here, we describe in detail simple small-scale production
and purification procedures for the generation of hepatitis B surface antigen
(HBsAg) VLPs using Pichia pastoris as expression host. This protocol may also be
applicable with variations to other HBsAg-based VLPs additionally carrying
antigens of other pathogens