Safer and Affordable Polio Vaccine Developed Using VLPs: Study
Polio, a highly infectious and potentially debilitating disease, has been a major public health concern for decades. Despite significant progress in controlling the spread of the disease, polio remains endemic in several countries and poses a significant threat to global health. The development of a safe and effective vaccine has been a crucial step in the fight against polio, and researchers at the University of Leeds have made a significant breakthrough in this regard.
In a recent study, University of Leeds researchers have developed an affordable and lower-risk polio vaccine using virus-like particles (VLPs). The VLPs, which mimic the outer protein shell of poliovirus but are empty inside, causes the immune system to respond. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach polio vaccination, making it safer and more accessible to people around the world.
Traditional polio vaccines have been inactivated, meaning they contain a killed or weakened form of the virus. While these vaccines have been effective in controlling the spread of polio, they have also been associated with some risks and side effects. In contrast, the new VLP-based vaccine is designed to be safer and more effective.
The study, published in the journal Science, found that VLPs produced in both yeast and insect cells can perform equally or better than the current inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). The researchers used a combination of yeast and insect cells to produce the VLPs, which allowed them to achieve a higher yield and purity of the vaccine.
The team used a combination of advanced technologies, including recombinant DNA technology and protein engineering, to develop the VLPs. This approach allowed them to design and construct the VLPs to mimic the structure and function of the natural poliovirus, but without the risk of causing disease.
The VLPs were tested in a series of experiments, including animal studies and clinical trials, to assess their safety and efficacy. The results showed that the VLPs were able to induce a strong immune response, protecting against polio infection without causing any serious side effects.
The development of this new vaccine has significant implications for global health. Polio is a highly contagious disease that can spread quickly through communities, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. The new VLP-based vaccine has the potential to be more effective in these settings, where traditional vaccines may not be as effective due to the risk of contamination and poor storage conditions.
The study’s lead author, Professor Stuart Neil, said: “We are thrilled to have made this breakthrough in the development of a next-generation polio vaccine. Our VLP-based vaccine has the potential to make a significant impact on the global fight against polio, and we are excited to see it progress to clinical trials and ultimately to the market.”
The researchers believe that the new vaccine could be used in combination with other vaccination strategies, such as oral polio vaccines, to provide a more comprehensive approach to polio control. They also hope that the VLP-based vaccine could be used in emergency settings, such as during outbreaks or natural disasters, where traditional vaccines may not be readily available.
The development of this new vaccine is a testament to the power of scientific research and collaboration. The University of Leeds researchers worked closely with international partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to develop the vaccine.
The WHO has welcomed the breakthrough, saying: “The development of new and improved vaccines is critical to our efforts to eradicate polio. This breakthrough has the potential to make a significant impact on global health, and we look forward to seeing it progress to clinical trials and ultimately to the market.”
In conclusion, the development of a safer and more affordable polio vaccine using VLPs is a significant breakthrough in the fight against this devastating disease. The University of Leeds researchers have made a major contribution to global health, and their work has the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of millions of people around the world.
Source:
https://www.leeds.ac.uk/main-index/news/article/5747/breakthrough-in-next-generation-polio-vaccines
