Biotech NSTDA has successfully developed the first “virus that can cause COVID-19” in Thailand. Protect frontline researchers who work closely with and come into contact with the virus in patient secretions, such as testing vaccine formulations and COVID-19 medicines.
Biotech NSTDA has successfully developed the first “virus that can cause COVID-19” in Thailand. Protect frontline researchers who work closely with and come into contact with the virus in patient secretions, such as testing vaccine formulations and COVID-19 medicines.
In the past, research and development of vaccines and drugs including evaluating the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine Researchers must work on high-risk isolation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus frompatient’s secretionsin the country and increase the amount of this type of virus that spreads rapidly and violently withinBiosafety Laboratory Level 3 (BSL3)
Thailand has not many biosafety laboratories, making the operation difficult and delayed. This directly affects the development of drugs and vaccines to keep up with the epidemic. and preparedness to deal with viruses that have mutations all the time
Dr. Anan Chongkaewwatana Director of Animal Health and Management Innovation Research Group National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Bio-Tech), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) said that in order for Thailand to cope with the outbreak of COVID-19 effectively
The research team has applied their expertise in the development of ‘Pseudotyped Virus’ or ‘Agent Virus’ to successfully develop ‘Covid-19 Virus’ for the first time in Thailand.
‘Pseudotyped Virus’ or ‘surrogate virus’ has the same mechanism of infecting cells as a real virus. but through the adjustment of properties that do not cause harm to humans This is a technology recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its effectiveness and safety. including being widely used today
The technology developed by the research team can be used to produce a virus that is a substitute for the virus that causes COVID-19. from the genetic code of all species
A surrogate virus is a technology created to mimic the COVID-19 virus. As is known, SARS-CoV-2 uses proteins in the spines to capture and enter cells. The research team then placed the viral spike protein SARS-CoV-2 in another virus that was safe and noninvasive.
The surrogate virus has several key strengths.
1) It allows researchers to work ‘proactively’. When a mutation of the COVID-19 virus was discovered Researchers can then use the genetic code to create a surrogate virus for immediate use. It is not necessary to wait for that strain to be infected in the country and then isolate it from the patient.
2) ‘Safe’ viral agents are not pathogenic. A researcher or laboratory staff can therefore use the surrogate virus in the laboratory of a general medical facility. 3) ‘Quick test’ Unlike real viruses, which take 5-6 days, surrogate cytology can clearly show cellular changes within 48 hours. In addition, up to 90 surrogate assays can be performed at a time, while viral assays are able to show cellular changes clearly within 48 hours. The real thing can only do 6 samples at a time.
4) ‘High volume production in a short time’ make enough viral load to test enabling more efficient research; and 5) ‘Reduce costs’ in performance up to 20-30 times
Dr. Anan added that with the hallmarks of the above-mentioned virus agents. Make from now on research and development of vaccines. vaccination regimen including medicines from various viruses of Thailand will be smoother and faster It can also be used to create a virus that is a substitute for the virus that causes COVID-19. A worrying new mutant species in order to prepare for severe outbreaks that may occur in the future
“Biotech has recently brought a representative virus to provide research and development of the COVID-19 vaccine in the country, including testing the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine. with domestic injection Testing the COVID-19 vaccination regimen for different groups and testing the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine produced in the country such as the Chula-CoV-19 vaccine, the prescription vaccine and the HXP–GPOVac vaccine.”
This viral surrogate production technology developed by Biotech NSTDA is not only applicable to the development of COVID-19 drugs and vaccines, but also to the production of other viral surrogate agents. including proactive prevention of disease outbreaks from animals to humans
It helps Thai researchers to carry out work to support the prevention of the epidemic easily, quickly and efficiently. Build more medical and public health security for Thailand.