New RNA vaccine strategy aims to build broader immunity against mutating viruses
New research by Malaghan's Connor Laboratory, published in PNAS, shows how directing the immune system toward conserved areas of the COVID virus and its many variants using RNA technology could be a significant step toward designing broad-spectrum vaccines.
New research by Malaghan's Connor Laboratory, published in PNAS, explores an RNA vaccine strategy designed to create broader immunity against mutating viruses such as COVID-19. The team discovered that directing the immune system toward conserved areas of the virus using RNA technology could lead to the development of vaccines with lasting protection.
While traditional vaccines focus on specific antigens, these may change rapidly, rendering the vaccine ineffective. To combat this, the Connor Lab created a "divergent vaccine" by combining multiple viral variants, which boosted the production of broadly neutralizing B cells that can recognize common features across different strains.
This innovative approach could potentially offer protection against rapidly evolving viruses like COVID-19, providing immunity even when new variants emerge.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
