In a step towards the next-generation vaccine for Covid-19, researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have used the body’s own immune cells in developing a nano-vaccine unlike current vaccines that use synthetic materials to package and deliver antigens. Researchers said this approach could also be used for various other infectious diseases such as dengue.
Since the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak, scientists from around the world have been studying the disease and its epidemiology to develop effective vaccines.
The development of a vaccine that can overcome disadvantages, including stability of the materials used, limited immune response and side-effects such as blood clotting, and provide a durable immune response will offer better protection from deadly Covid-19.
The naturally derived nano-vaccine could have several advantages over currently approved vaccines. It will minimise the chance of blood clotting, which was otherwise observed in vaccinated individuals.
Generally after vaccination, the antigens are processed by the antigen-presenting cells, which eventually activate other immune cells to generate the antibodies and eliminate the virus. However, this next-generation vaccine is one step ahead as it uses the nanovesicles derived from activated APCs, which already contain processed antigens on their surface and are also equipped with other factors required for the direct activation of other immune cells.
The development of a nano-vaccine using the body’s own immune cells is a groundbreaking achievement that could revolutionize the field of vaccine development. By moving away from synthetic materials and instead utilizing the body’s own natural defenses, this approach has the potential to be safer, more effective, and more adaptable to a wide range of infectious diseases.
This research by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi is a promising step towards the next-generation vaccine for Covid-19, and could pave the way for similar breakthroughs in the fight against other infectious diseases like dengue.
The development of new and innovative vaccine technologies is more important than ever in our rapidly changing world, and the work being done at IIT Delhi is a shining example of the kind of creative problem-solving that can make a real difference in people’s lives.