Prediction of the vaccine escape SARS-CoV2 mutants

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K20773
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0803:Pathology, infection/immunology, and related fields
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: ikegame satoshi 九州大学, 医学研究院, 助教 (40785193)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: vaccine / SARS-coronavirus 2

Outline of Final Research Achievements

I modified vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) so that VSV express spike of SARS-CoV-2. I made modification in VSV so that VSV can only grow in special cell lines to make virus safe. I generated the cells which can allow replication of VSV expressing spike. I checked the neutralization activity of serum after vaccination and trying to acquire vaccine escape mutants.
I was unable to introduce mutation at first attempt, so I am now trying to change the condition of culture and serum dilution. I will try to start mutant selection using new culture condition and serum dilution.

Free Research Field

ウイルス

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

新型コロナウイルスの逃避変異株を安全かつ効率的に取得するための新しい実験系となることが期待され、また実際に発見された変異株から新しいワクチン候補株が早期に発見されることも期待できる。他のウイルスにも応用可能な実験系であり将来的な発展性も期待できると考える。