Initial tests in mice of a potential COVID-19 vaccine delivered via a fingertip-sized patch have shown it can induce an immune response against the new coronavirus at levels that might prevent infection, U.S. scientists said on Thursday.
Researchers around the world are working to develop potential treatments or vaccines against the respiratory disease that has killed nearly 47,000 people and infected almost a million in just a few months.
“These two viruses, which are closely related to SARS-CoV-2 , teach us that a particular protein, called a spike protein, is important for inducing immunity against the virus,” said Andrea Gambotto, an associate professor at Pittsburgh.When tested in mice, the prototype vaccine - which the researchers have called PittCoVacc - generated what they described as “a surge of antibodies” against the new coronavirus within two weeks.
But they said that in comparable tests in mice with their MERS experimental vaccine, a sufficient level of antibodies was produced to neutralize the virus for at least a year. The team said they hope to start testing the vaccine candidate on people in clinical trials in the next few months.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Chinese scientists seeking potential COVID-19 treatment find 'effective' antibodiesA team of Chinese scientists has isolated several antibodies that it says are 'extremely effective' at blocking the ability of the new coronavirus to enter cells, which eventually could be helpful in treating or preventing COVID-19.
Read more »
'Pink Eye' Often a Symptom of COVID-19Of 38 patients with COVID-19, a dozen also had pink eye (conjunctivitis), a new study found. In two patients, the coronavirus was present in both nasal and eye fluids.
Read more »
Covid-19 may be far more prevalent than previously thoughtConfirmed case numbers reflect not only how many people are contracting covid-19, but how many are being tested for it
Read more »
Risk for severe COVID-19 increases with each decade of ageA new study examines data from individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 in 38 countries and found that risk of death from the disease rose with each decade of age.
Read more »