A promising development has emerged in the coronavirus vaccine effort. Researchers report that a prototype vaccine has provided protection against the coronavirus in animal tests. Scientists behind the study say the experimental vaccine protected monkeys from infection.
More than 100 separate research projects are currently underway worldwide to develop vaccines against the coronavirus. Among these efforts, a notable result has been published by researchers at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston in the journal Science. The study represents one of many active lines of investigation seeking an effective vaccine.
Coronavirus Not Detected in Eight Monkeys
In ongoing work led by virologist Dr. Dan Barouch and his team, researchers tested a prototype vaccine in nonhuman primates. The vaccine approach delivered small DNA sequences designed to train the immune system to recognize the virus; those sequences cause cells to produce a viral protein that elicits an immune response. The team tested six different vaccine variations to evaluate which formulations produced the strongest protection.
Following challenge with the virus, none of the eight vaccinated monkeys showed detectable signs of coronavirus infection. Some vaccine formulations produced partial protection, while one candidate in particular effectively primed the immune system so that it mounted a broad response against the virus’ spike protein. As a result of this study, the researchers reported that the virus could not be detected in eight monkeys that received the most effective vaccine formulation.