A groundbreaking vaccine breakthrough has been achieved by scientists at UC Riverside, offering hope for an end to the cycle of chasing strains with annual vaccine updates. This new RNA-based vaccine strategy has shown effectiveness against any strain of a virus, presenting a safe option even for vulnerable populations like babies and the immunocompromised.
Each year, researchers face the challenge of predicting the most prevalent influenza strains for the upcoming flu season, leading to the formulation of updated vaccines in the hopes of targeting the correct strains. Similarly, COVID vaccines have been continuously adjusted to address sub-variants of circulating strains in the U.S.
The innovative approach introduced by UC Riverside researchers aims to eliminate the need for multiple vaccine formulations by targeting a common part of the viral genome shared by all strains of a virus. The details of the vaccine’s mechanism and its successful demonstration in mice have been outlined in a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Dr. Rong Hai, a virologist at UCR and one of the paper’s authors, highlighted the broad applicability and efficacy of this vaccine strategy. He emphasized its potential to offer universal protection against various viruses and their variants, catering to a wide range of individuals. This could potentially serve as the sought-after universal vaccine.
Unlike traditional vaccines that use dead or modified live virus components to trigger an immune response, this new vaccine also employs a modified live virus but operates differently. It does not rely on the conventional immune response mechanisms or immune active proteins within the body, making it suitable for individuals with underdeveloped immune systems or compromised immunity due to underlying conditions. Instead, the vaccine leverages small silencing RNA molecules.
According to Dr. Shouwei Ding, a distinguished professor at UC Riverside, the immune response triggered by the vaccine involves the production of small interfering RNAs that combat viral infections by suppressing the virus. This innovative mechanism opens up possibilities for enhanced protection against a spectrum of viruses.
