Developing a Proactive Vaccine Against Emerging COVID Strains
Scientists around the world are increasingly interested in developing a vaccine to combat new strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, even before they emerge. A British team at the University of Cambridge has been conducting mouse studies, which have shown promising results. While it’s important to note that mouse studies don’t always translate directly to human applications, Rory Hills, the study’s first author, remains optimistic about their progress.
Hills, a graduate pharmacology researcher at Cambridge, explained that their research is focused on developing a vaccine that can protect against the next Coronavirus pandemic. To achieve this, their research team has adopted a relatively new approach called “proactive vaccination.” They aim to develop vaccines that can shield against unknown coronaviruses based on the current understanding of coronaviruses and their immune responses.
Nanotechnology plays a crucial role in this research. Vaccines work by training the human immune system to recognize and attack specific antigens on the surface of germs. However, a single antigen can become weak if new viral strains emerge. In their study, the researchers utilized a nanoparticle called a Quartet Nanocage, composed of proteins held together by incredibly strong interactions.
The next step involved engineering different viral antigens to embed themselves within this nanocage. Theoretically, this approach could lead to a vaccine that sensitizes immune cells to a range of Coronaviruses. The researchers found evidence of its effectiveness in mice. Mice who received the vaccine were protected from the SARS outbreak in 2003, even though it did not contain SARS-CoV-1.
Hills expressed excitement about their achievement, stating, “We have developed a vaccine that provides protection against a wide range of Coronaviruses – including ones we aren’t even aware of.” The researchers believe that nanocage vaccines are relatively easy to develop, which could greatly benefit human clinical trials.
Mark Howarth, the senior author of the study and a professor of pharmacology at Cambridge, emphasized that these new initiatives build on past achievements. While scientists were able to produce an extremely effective COVID vaccine quickly during the last pandemic, there was still a massive crisis and a high death toll worldwide. The key is to start developing vaccines in advance. By proactively working on vaccine development, we can better prepare for future pandemics.
In conclusion, the University of Cambridge’s research team is making significant progress in developing a proactive vaccine against emerging COVID strains. Their approach, using nanotechnology and embedding viral antigens within a nanocage, has shown promise in protecting mice from previous coronavirus outbreaks. This proactive vaccination strategy could potentially provide immunity against a wide range of coronaviruses, including those that have not yet emerged. With further development and human clinical trials, this vaccine could be a crucial tool in preventing future pandemics.