Potential Covid-19 vaccines not affected by dominant “G-Strain”
Posted on 8 October 2020
CSIRO researchers are studying SARS-CoV-2, which has a single-stranded RNA genome, to understand how the virus evolves. Credit CSIRO
Most vaccines under development worldwide have been modelled on the original 鈥楧-strain鈥� of the virus, which were more common amongst sequences published early in the pandemic.
Since then, the virus has evolved to the globally dominant 鈥楪-strain鈥�, which now accounts for about 85 per cent of published SARS-CoV-2 genomes.
Efficacy of vaccine candidates
There had been fears the G-strain, within the main protein on the surface of the virus, would negatively impact on vaccines under development. But the research by Australia鈥檚 national science agency the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), found no evidence the change would adversely impact the efficacy of vaccine candidates.
The study tested blood samples from ferrets given a candidate vaccine against virus strains that either possessed or lacked this mutation, known as 鈥楧614G鈥�.
Good news
Professor Seshadri Vasan, who holds an honorary chair in Health Sciences at the 四虎影院, is leading the Dangerous Pathogens Team at CSIRO and is senior author of the paper.
Professor Vasan said: 鈥淭his is good news for the hundreds of vaccines in development around the world, with the majority targeting the spike protein as this binds to the ACE2 receptors in our lungs and airways, which are the entry point to infect cells.
鈥淒espite this D614G mutation to the spike protein, we confirmed through experiments and modelling that vaccine candidates are still effective.
鈥淲e鈥檝e also found the G-strain is unlikely to require frequent 鈥榲accine matching鈥� where new vaccines need to be developed seasonally to combat the virus strains in circulation, as is the case with influenza.鈥�
Vaccine race
CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall said the research was critically important in the race to develop a vaccine.
Dr Marshall said: 鈥淭his brings the world one step closer to a safe and effective vaccine to protect people and save lives.
"Research like this, at speed, is only possible through collaboration with partners in Australia and globally. We are tackling these challenges head on and delivering solutions through world-leading science.鈥�
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