KEY POINTS

  • Italian scientists claim that they have already found a way to neutralize the virus
  • This was reportedly made by growing antibodies in mice
  • The scientists used a process called 'electroporation' 

Antibodies grown in mice may be used to neutralize coronavirus, opening the door for the future development of a potential vaccine for the deadly virus, Italian scientists revealed. According to local pharmaceutical company Takis, scientists performed the lab tests at the Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases, an infectious disease hospital located in Rome.

Blocking The Bug

The scientists shared their tests revealed, with only one vaccination, the mice began to develop antibodies that can stop the coronavirus in human cells. The scientists told Science Times that they have developed five different vaccines but they only chose the two that displayed the best results.

A process called “electroporation” was used on the vaccine candidates, which involved using an intramuscular injection followed by short high-voltage electric pulses designed to make the skin more penetrable. It allows scientists to break into the cells and, in the process, trigger the immune system. All of the vaccine candidates presently being developed are all based on the “spike” protein, the molecular tip believed to facilitate entry of the coronavirus into the human cell.

coronavirus update on vaccine reveals scientists discovered a vaccine grown in mice which could neutralize virus
coronavirus update on vaccine reveals scientists discovered a vaccine grown in mice which could neutralize virus tiburi - Pixabay

A First

Takis Biotech CEO Luigi Aurisicchio told the Italian news agency ANSA this is the first time on record that researchers have discovered a way to neutralize the coronavirus. He also revealed that human trials are scheduled to be held in the summer.

In an interview with the publication, Aurisicchio stated that, as far as he and the Spallanzani Hospital knows, they are the first in the world to deactivate coronavirus by a vaccine. He confidently added that they expect the same thing to happen when human trials begin.

Aurisicchio also told ANSA that his company has been working double-time to discover a vaccine against the deadly disease. He said they are not competing with anyone and also made an appeal for scientists to join forces and skills in order to win against the virus.

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