Everyone in the world may be able to use the same SARS-CoV-2 vaccine

Reporter : Liu Xia / Publisher : Science & Technology Daily

Ref : http://news.sciencenet.cn/htmlnews/2020/9/445079.shtm

Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

According to a recent report by the physicist organization network, US researchers analyzed the genetic sequences of more than 27,000 people infected with SARS-CoV-2 and concluded that the virus has limited mutation sites, which indicates that people around the world may use the same covi vaccine. This latest research was published in the recent Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

In order to characterize the changes that have taken place since the covid outbreak, a research team led by Walter Reed Army Research Institute (WRAIR) Morgan Rowland compared the viral genome sequences of samples from 84 countries/regions and compared the mutations. It was sorted out. The analysis shows that the diversity of the cross-covi genome is limited: Only 11 sites show a polymorphism greater than 5%. So far, the evolution of the covi genome has been mainly a random process rather than adaptive selection.

Roland said, "As other studies have pointed out, we have noticed that since the outbreak, the frequency of the D614G mutation in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 has increased rapidly, but we cannot associate this mutation with a specific adaptive capacity. When the virus is replicating and spreading in the population, we will see some mutations, and some mutations can be quickly and randomly fixed."

Roland emphasized that linking genotype to phenotype is very complicated, and more research is needed to fully understand the functional consequences of the D614G mutation in covi. In addition, given the limited genetic mutation sites of the CCP virus, a promising candidate vaccine may have the same effect on all new coronavirus strains currently circulating. “Efforts to develop vaccines for AIDS, influenza, and dengue fever face the challenge of the diversity of these viruses, but analysis of samples from all over the world shows that the diversity of coronavirus is lower than these viruses. Therefore, we can be cautious and optimistic. It is believed that viral diversity will not become an obstacle to the development of a broad protective vaccine against covi infections."

It is reported that WRAIR is also currently developing a vaccine. Its candidate vaccine is based on the spike ferritin nanoparticle platform and is expected to start human trials by 2021. The vaccine is matched with the patent adjuvant "Army Liposome Formula" developed by WRAIR to further enhance the immune response.