covid: View: A safe sub-unit protein vaccine will further enhance booster protection against Covid variants

In June 2021, Dr Deborah Birx and I were part of a virtual panel discussion on Covid-19. India was just emerging from the delta wave. The US was still experiencing the challenges of battling Covid in a polarized politics. Birx, a reputed medical professional, had recently relinquished her unenviable role as White House coronavirus response … Read more

Researchers generate a remodeled live-attenuated measles vaccine capable of driving nAb responses against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

In a recent study posted to bioRxiv*, researchers developed a measles virus (MeV)-vectored vaccine capable of inducing high neutralizing antibody (nAb) responses against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Study: Surface-modified measles vaccines encoding oligomeric, fusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoproteins bypass measles seropositivity, boosting neutralizing antibody responses to omicron and historical variants. Image Credit: Kateryna … Read more

Study demonstrates robust antibody response elicited by trivalent protein subunit vaccine against SARS-CoV-2

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers demonstrated that a trivalent vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) improved the breadth of humoral immune responses in mice. Study: Trivalent SARS-CoV-2 S1 Subunit Protein Vaccination Induces Broad Humoral Responses in BALB/c Mice. Image Credit: Corona Borealis Studio/Shutterstock Background SARS-CoV-2 vaccines … Read more

Exploring a variant-adapted SARS-CoV-2 recombinant protein vaccine

In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers assessed the immunogenicity of a variant-adapted severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) recombinant protein vaccine boosted with an AS03 adjuvant. Study: Safety and immunogenicity of a variant-adapted SARS-CoV-2 recombinant protein vaccine with AS03 adjuvant as a booster in adults primed with authorized vaccines. … Read more

Novel prefusion S antigen designed by the mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein’s trimeric structure

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* server, researchers mutated the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein’s trimeric structure to design a novel prefusion S antigen, S2D14. Study: Structural and Computational Design of a SARS-2 Spike Antigen with Increased Receptor Binding Domain Exposure and Improved Immunogenicity. Image Credit: creativeneko/Shutterstock Background … Read more

Pocket feature in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is present in all deadly coronaviruses, study reveals

Scientists have discovered why some coronaviruses are more likely to cause severe disease, which has remained a mystery until now. Researchers of the University of Bristol-led study, published in Science advances today [23 November], say their findings could lead to the development of a pan-coronavirus treatment to defeat all coronaviruses-; from the 2002 SARS-CoV outbreak … Read more

Structure-directed mutagenesis produces thermostable SARS-CoV-2 spike protein trimers with potential vaccine booster applications

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, a team of researchers investigated the change in the stability, antigenicity, and protein expression of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein trimer using structure-directed mutagenesis to alter a cavity in the core of the spike protein. Study: Enhanced stability of the … Read more

Mosaic nanoparticles displaying spike protein trimers from different coronaviruses elicits cross-reactive protection

In a recent study under review at the Nature Portfolio journal and currently posted to Research Square* preprint server, researchers developed and assessed the immunogenicity of nanoparticles expressing spike trimers from coronaviruses (CoVs). CoVs, particularly beta-CoVs, thrive in animal reservoirs and constantly threaten human health. Seven CoVs infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus … Read more

Dyadic Receives Regulatory Approval to Initiate Phase 1

JUPITER, Fla., Oct. 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dyadic International, Inc. (“Dyadic”, “we”, “us”, “our”, or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: DYAI), a global biotechnology company focused on building innovative microbial platforms to address the growing demand for global protein production and unmet clinical needs for effective and affordable biopharmaceutical products for human and animal health, today … Read more

Researchers design a COVID-19 vaccine construct using hybrid SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and nucleocapsid protein peptides

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers designed a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine construct using hybrid SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) spike(S) protein (containing SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variant mutations) and nucleocapsid (N) protein peptides that confer T lymphocyte-mediated immune protection. Study: De novo design of anti-variant COVID … Read more