To investigate the feasibility of using radiation to inactivate virus for vaccine formulation.

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of vaccines and the needs for faster, economically affordable and safervaccine development methods. Vaccines prevent an estimated 3 million deaths/year worldwide but a further 1.5 millionlives/year could be saved with better vaccines and wider coverage (Wellcome). Ionizing radiation could provide analternative option with significant benefits compared to current vaccine formulations. The concept relies on using ionizingradiation to inactivate the virus by damaging its RNA material without destroying the key epitopes or its structural integrity(retaining therefore the full breadth of antigens targets). Simulations have confirmed that this could be achieved with anoptimum selection of radiation quality and dose. The inactivated virus would then be used in combination with an adjuvantto stimulate the immune system response. The project will assess the efficiency of different radiation modalities in virusinactivation, establish dose response curves, develop sample radiation-vaccines and compare their efficacy againstchemical and other conventional vaccine modalities using a range of biological systems. Cost-effectiveness and ease ofmanufacturing, including access to radiation facilities and transport, will also be addressed.