Scientists develop novel vaccine platform that may help prevent future coronavirus pandemics - India TV News

A medical worker holding a vaccine and a syringe.Scientists have designed a vaccine candidate that induces protection in mice against "a wide range of related coronaviruses," an innovation that may help protect against future pandemic-potential viruses that jump from animals to humans.The novel 'mosaic nanoparticle' vaccine, described in the journal Science, is shaped like a cage made up of 60 identical proteins, each of which has a small protein tag that functions like a piece of Velcro.In the study, the scientists, including Alex Cohen from California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in the US, assessed fragments of the spike proteins of different coronaviruses, and engineered each to have a protein tag that would bind to those on the cage -- on the other side of the "Velcro.".When these viral pieces tag on to the cage, it results in a nanoparticle presenting spikes representing different coronavirus strains on its surface, the study noted.With eight different coronavirus spike fragments, the scientists said this vaccine platform can generate a diverse antibody response -- an advantage over traditional vaccine methods that present pieces from only a single type of virus.According to the study, the antibodies subsequently produced by mice inoculated with the vaccine candidate were able to react to many different strains of coronavirus.The scientists said some of the antibodies in the mice were surprisingly reactive against related strains of coronavirus whose spike proteins were not present on the nanoparticle.The scientists believe the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes COVID-19 is unlikely to be the last coronavirus to cause a pandemic."Alex's results show that it is possible to raise diverse neutralising antibody responses, even against coronavirus strains that were not represented on the injected nanoparticle," said study co-author Pamela Bjorkman from Calteh."In addition, the nanoparticles elicit neutralising responses against SARS-CoV-2, so it could be possible to use them now to protect against COVID-19 as well as other coronaviruses with pandemic potential," Bjorkman added.ALSO READ | Nepal approves use of AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine manufactured in India!Tandav Review & Twitter Reactions: Saif's political drama wins hearts, fans call it 'sheer magic'England remain 'vigilant but not concerned' after two hotel staffers test positive for COVID-19Opinion | How China has drawn the Bamboo Curtain over the mystery behind the origin of CoronavirusTandav Review & Twitter Reactions: Saif's political drama wins hearts, fans call it 'sheer magic'Delhi records 295 fresh COVID-19 cases, lowest in over 8 monthsDelhi records 295 fresh COVID-19 cases, lowest in over 8 monthsTandav Review & Twitter Reactions: Saif's political drama wins hearts, fans call it 'sheer magic'England remain 'vigilant but not concerned' after two hotel staffers test positive for COVID-19Covid recovered patients may have immunity for over eight monthsBigg Boss 14: Rakhi, Arshi and others break down as Vikas Gupta exits the show againBigg Boss 14 Jan 13 HIGHLIGHTS: Rakhi Sawant wears 'sindoor' for Abhinav Shukla in captaincy taskBigg Boss 14 Jan 11 HIGHLIGHTS: Salman Khan adds 'tadka' in nominations & make it difficultBigg Boss 14 Weekend Ka Vaar HIGHLIGHTS: Salman Khan bids tearful goodbye to Jasmin BhasinBigg Boss 14: Rakhi Sawant's mother to undergo major surgery for tumor in abdomen, reveals brother