Scientists are working on vaccines that do not target just a single virus variant.
The goal is to identify common features among related viruses so that a vaccine can provide broader protection.
According to Medical News Today, this is particularly important for coronaviruses, as new variants can emerge and spread rapidly among humans.
Early results
A Phase 1 trial published in the Journal of Infection involving 39 participants investigated whether the vaccine is safe and well tolerated in humans.
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The trial showed an immune response, but it was described as limited. Therefore, it has not yet been proven that the vaccine can provide effective protection.
A new trial involving 200 participants is currently underway, according to Medical News Today.
AI behind the design
The vaccine was developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge with the help of artificial intelligence.
AI was used to analyze multiple coronaviruses and identify shared characteristics.
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As a result, the vaccine was designed for the sarbecovirus family, which includes SARS and SARS-CoV-2.
It is the world's first AI-designed vaccine to be tested in humans.
It has passed the initial safety tests, but researchers still need to demonstrate whether it can provide strong and long-lasting protection.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.