It is no question that the coronavirus has changed our world. Many individuals have decided to stay at home to flatten the curve, including myself. Non-essential businesses and schools have temporarily closed for the time being. If one good thing had to come from it, it is that it has united our world together to fight this spreading virus. Now more than ever, it is important to persevere and form a united front against this pathogen. Throughout the world, scientists and researchers are putting their minds to work as they try to find some sort of remedy. The race to find a vaccine for the coronavirus continues.
According to an article from ScienceDaily, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine are working hard to figure out a possible remedy that could potentially be used against this virus. Turns out, the time and effort that they have put in thus far might be paying off. From their work concerning SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, they learned that immunity could be brought about if spike proteins were involved. They decided to develop these spike proteins in their laboratories. What is unique about this potential treatment is that it makes use of a microneedle array. It is essentially a patch that contains about 400 needles (don’t worry they are very small needles and consist of protein and sugar!). These needles act as a way for the spike proteins to get into the body via the skin. So far, the researchers have reported that the treatment does not induce any sort of pain. In addition, they have reported that antibodies against this virus (known as SARS-CoV-2) have been made in mice after having received this microneedle array. So far, this treatment has been labelled the PittCoVacc.
Like many people, I am fascinated by the dedication and commitment that these scientists, researchers, and healthcare professionals have put in at this time. It is a very overwhelming and confusing time in the world, but they have managed to put in everything they have got into this matter to help produce results that could be life-changing. In class, we learned that the spikes on enveloped viruses can be factors of virulence. If the individual is exposed to low levels of these spike proteins, then they are able to build antibodies that could fight off the actual virus. I am most intrigued by the way that this drug is administered to an individual. Prior to reading this article, I did not know that a drug could be administered through a microneedle array and how effective it would be. I really hope that this treatment continues to produce good results that would allow it to advance to the next stage.
In addition, according to an article from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, as well as individuals from Moderna Biotechnology Company, have put their brains together to come up with a possible vaccine that could help protect individuals from the coronavirus. Their potential vaccine revolves around messenger RNA, also known as mRNA. The researchers’ goal with this vaccine is to induce the expression of the virus’ spike protein in the body. In turn, this could help the body build immunity to this virus since it has already been exposed to a part of it. Since there have been successful tests in animals, the potential treatment has advanced to and is currently in Phase I of the clinical trials in humans. Individuals are given different doses of the drug. The drug development process has definitely been fast-tracked so that the researchers and scientists can get down to business and see if what they have been working on does indeed help protect individuals from SARS-CoV-2.
It is astonishing to hear and read about yet another potential vaccine that could treat individuals. It is interesting that both of the potential treatments from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and NIH utilize the spike proteins found on the virus. It emphasizes how crucial it is that the treatment targets that (or any) virulence factor. Because the process of developing the drug definitely advanced quickly, I wonder if there will be any repercussions to this. As someone who is interested in pharmaceutical sciences, learning about how scientists have decided to use their knowledge of viruses and vaccines past and present is what inspires me to work hard and continually involve myself in different opportunities that can further my knowledge in drug development.
It is a wonder to see how this world is adapting to the rapid changes and limitations that the effects of the virus have induced. While we may not all be scientists, we can all do our own part by staying at home, washing our hands, social distancing, and wearing masks. In the mean time, stay safe and stay healthy! ❤
Melanie Nguyen's Microbiology Blog 