2023-09-25 20:59:00
Researchers have created a medical sensation with the development of a new vaccine that offers broad protection against the coronavirus, including new variants. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Cambridge and the spin-out DIOSynVax, utilized a computer-aided vaccine antigen technology. The synthetic antigens, based on the spike protein of sarbecoviruses, were found to be effective against the novel coronavirus as well as earlier variants.
Animal tests on mice, guinea pigs, and rabbits showed that the vaccine provided protection against the virus. What is more significant is that the vaccine was developed before the emergence of variants such as Alpha and Omicron and still demonstrated efficacy against them. The researchers believe that the antigens could also work against future variants that have not yet emerged.
The research team, led by Professor Jonathan Heeney from the Cambridge Department of Veterinary Medicine, published their findings in the journal “Nature Biomedical Engineering”. Professor Heeney stated that the new approach targets not only the parts of the virus that change to evade the immune system but also the areas necessary for the pathogen’s survival. This broader approach allows for the development of a vaccine that is difficult for viruses to evade.
The synthetic antigens can be administered through various vaccine options, such as vector, DNA, or mRNA vaccines. This flexibility and the ability to generate a broad immune response against key parts of the virus that are not easily modified are significant advantages of this new vaccine technology. It represents a breakthrough that opens the door to vaccines against viruses that are yet to be discovered.
While further research is needed before the technology can be used in humans, the active ingredient is currently undergoing clinical tests in Cambridge and Southampton. The development of a vaccine that can offer protection against both existing and future variants of the coronavirus is a positive step forward in the ongoing battle against the pandemic.
Source: Nature Biomedical Engineering, Cambridge Department of Veterinary Medicine, and DIOSynVax.]
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