Researchers from top universities in the UK and the US have created a new vaccine they hope will protect people from a wide range of coronaviruses, some of which have not even been discovered yet. Published in ‘Nature Nanotechnology,’ their work introduces a novel vaccine strategy known as “proactive vaccinology.” This strategy involves developing vaccines in anticipation of diseases, rather than responding after they have occurred.
The team, which includes experts from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, along with the California Institute of Technology, designed the vaccine to teach the immune system to recognize specific parts of eight different coronaviruses. These include the virus responsible for COVID-19 and several viruses currently found in bats that could potentially infect humans in the future.
Rory Hills, a lead researcher at the University of Cambridge, explained that the aim is to have a vaccine ready to go before the next big coronavirus outbreak hits. This vaccine is designed to react to many coronaviruses, even ones not specifically included in its development, such as the virus that caused the SARS outbreak in 2003.
The secret to the vaccine’s broad protection lies in targeting parts of the virus structure that are common across multiple coronaviruses. This allows the immune system to defend against a variety of coronavirus strains, including those not yet identified.
Professor Mark Howarth, another senior researcher from Cambridge, highlighted that learning from the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines, which were highly effective but came after the virus had already spread globally, is crucial. The new approach focuses on preparing vaccines in advance, potentially averting future health crises.
The vaccine, known as the ‘Quartet Nanocage,’ utilizes a simple structure called a nanoparticle. This particle is a tiny ball made of proteins that holds chains of virus parts, teaching the immune system to recognize and fight various coronaviruses. The use of what the researchers call ‘protein superglue’ helps attach these chains securely to the nanoparticle.
The latest tests show that this new vaccine triggers a strong immune response, even in animals that had previously been vaccinated against COVID-19. Its straightforward design could lead to faster progress in clinical trials compared to other complex vaccines currently in development.
The new technique not only shows promise for coronavirus protection but could also be adapted to develop vaccines for other diseases. Funded by the UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, this research marks a significant step forward in proactive disease prevention.
