Latest news with #UniversityofPittsburghSchoolofPublicHealth
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
New mRNA vaccine is more effective, less costly to develop, shows study
A new type of mRNA vaccine is more scalable and adaptable to continuously evolving viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and H5N1, according to a study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and the Pennsylvania State University. The study was published today in npj Vaccines. Though highly effective at inducing an immune response, current mRNA vaccines, such as those used to prevent COVID-19, present two significant challenges: the high amount of mRNA needed to produce them and the constantly evolving nature of the pathogen. "The virus changes, moving the goal post, and updating the vaccine takes some time," said senior author Suresh Kuchipudi, Ph.D., chair of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology at Pitt Public Health. To address these challenges, the researchers created a proof-of-concept COVID-19 vaccine using what's known as a "trans-amplifying" mRNA platform. In this approach, the mRNA is separated into two fragments -- the antigen sequence and the replicase sequence -- the latter of which can be produced in advance, saving crucial time in the event a new vaccine must be developed urgently and produced at scale. Additionally, the researchers analysed the spike-protein sequences of all known variants of SARS-CoV-2 for commonalities, rendering what's known as a "consensus spike protein" as the basis for the vaccine's antigen. In mice, the vaccine induced a robust immune response against many strains of SARS-CoV-2. "This has the potential for more lasting immunity that would not require updating, because the vaccine has the potential to provide broad protection," said Kuchipudi. "Additionally, this format requires an mRNA dose 40 times less than conventional vaccines, so this new approach significantly reduces the overall cost of the vaccine." The lessons learned from this study could inform more efficient vaccine development for other constantly evolving RNA viruses with pandemic potential, Kuchipudi said. "We hope to apply the principles of this lower-cost, broad-protection antigen design to pressing challenges like bird flu," added Kuchipudi.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
New Covid vaccine developed by USA researchers is ready to fight Coronavirus. How effective it is?
Amid fresh surge in Covid-19 cases, a team of US researchers has developed a new type of mRNA vaccine that is more scalable and adaptable to tackle continuously evolving viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and H5N1. While the currently available mRNA vaccines are highly effective at inducing an immune response against Covid , they present challenges like the high amount of mRNA needed to produce them and the constantly evolving nature of the pathogen. "The virus changes, moving the goal post, and updating the vaccine takes some time," said senior author Suresh Kuchipudi, chair of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. To address these challenges, the researchers created a proof-of-concept Covid vaccine using what's known as a "trans-amplifying" mRNA platform. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pare a neuropatia: descubra como NeuroFit Undo In this approach, the mRNA is separated into two fragments -- the antigen sequence and the replicase sequence -- the latter of which can be produced in advance, saving crucial time in the event a new vaccine must be developed urgently and produced at scale. In addition, the researchers analysed the spike-protein sequences of all known variants of the SARS-CoV-2 for commonalities, rendering what's known as a "consensus spike protein" as the basis for the vaccine's antigen. Live Events In mice, the vaccine induced a robust immune response against many strains of SARS-CoV-2. "This has the potential for more lasting immunity that would not require updating, because the vaccine has the potential to provide broad protection," said Kuchipudi. "Additionally, this format requires an mRNA dose 40 times less than conventional vaccines, so this new approach significantly reduces the overall cost of the vaccine." The study, published in the journal npj Vaccines could inform more efficient vaccine development for other constantly evolving RNA viruses with pandemic potential, Kuchipudi said.
NDTV
03-06-2025
- Health
- NDTV
US Researchers Develop New mRNA Vaccine To Fight Covid-19
New Delhi: Amid fresh surge in Covid-19 cases, a team of US researchers has developed a new type of mRNA vaccine that is more scalable and adaptable to tackle continuously evolving viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and H5N1. While the currently available mRNA vaccines are highly effective at inducing an immune response against Covid, they present challenges like the high amount of mRNA needed to produce them and the constantly evolving nature of the pathogen. "The virus changes, moving the goal post, and updating the vaccine takes some time," said senior author Suresh Kuchipudi, chair of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. To address these challenges, the researchers created a proof-of-concept Covid vaccine using what's known as a "trans-amplifying" mRNA platform. In this approach, the mRNA is separated into two fragments -- the antigen sequence and the replicase sequence -- the latter of which can be produced in advance, saving crucial time in the event a new vaccine must be developed urgently and produced at scale. In addition, the researchers analysed the spike-protein sequences of all known variants of the SARS-CoV-2 for commonalities, rendering what's known as a "consensus spike protein" as the basis for the vaccine's antigen. In mice, the vaccine induced a robust immune response against many strains of SARS-CoV-2. "This has the potential for more lasting immunity that would not require updating, because the vaccine has the potential to provide broad protection," said Kuchipudi. "Additionally, this format requires an mRNA dose 40 times less than conventional vaccines, so this new approach significantly reduces the overall cost of the vaccine." The study, published in the journal npj Vaccines could inform more efficient vaccine development for other constantly evolving RNA viruses with pandemic potential, Kuchipudi said. "We hope to apply the principles of this lower-cost, broad-protection antigen design to pressing challenges like bird flu."
