Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 24, 2025
Efficient Transfection of In vitro Transcribed mRNA in Cultured Cells Using Peptide-Poloxamine Nanoparticles
Published on: August 17, 2022
Post-genomic platform for development of oligonucleotide vaccines against RNA viruses: diamond cuts diamond
V V Oberemok1,2, O A Andreeva3,4, K V Laikova5
1Department of Molecular Genetics and Biotechnologies, V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, Simferopol, Crimea. genepcr@mail.ru.
Abstract:
The coronavirus pandemic has starkly demonstrated the need to create highly effective vaccines against various viral diseases. The emerging new platforms for vaccine creation (adenovirus vectors and mRNA vaccines) have shown their worth in the fight against the prevention of coronavirus infection. However, adenovirus vectors and mRNA vaccines have a serious disadvantage: as a rule, only the S protein of the coronavirus is presented as an antigen. This tactic for preventing infection allows the ever-mutating virus to escape quickly from the immunity protection provided by such vaccines. Today, viral genomic databases are well-developed, which makes it possible to create new vaccines on a fundamentally new post-genomic platform. In addition, the technology for the synthesis of nucleic acids is currently experiencing an upsurge in demand in various fields of molecular biology. The accumulated experience suggests that the unique genomic sequences of viruses can act as antigens that trigger powerful humoral and cellular immunity. To achieve this effect, the following conditions must be created: the structure of the nucleic acid must be single-stranded, have a permanent 3D nanostructure, and have a unique sequence absent in the vaccinated organism. Oligonucleotide vaccines are able to resist the rapidly changing genomic sequences of RNA viruses by using conserved regions of their genomes to generate a long-term immune response, acting according to the adage that a diamond cuts a diamond. In addition, oligonucleotide vaccines will not contribute to antibody-dependent enhanced infection, since the nucleic acid of the coronavirus is inside the viral particle. It is obvious that new epidemics and pandemics caused by RNA viruses will continue to arise periodically in the human population. The creation of new, safe, and effective platforms for the production of vaccines that can flexibly change and adapt to new subtypes of viruses is very urgent and at this moment should be considered as a strategically necessary task.
Insights
Oligonucleotide vaccines offer a novel approach to combatting rapidly mutating viruses like coronaviruses. By targeting conserved genomic regions, these advanced vaccines can elicit robust immunity and overcome limitations of current platforms.
Area of Science:
- Vaccinology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Current adenovirus vector and mRNA vaccines primarily target the coronavirus S protein, allowing the virus to evade immunity through mutation.
- The development of viral genomic databases and nucleic acid synthesis technologies enables new vaccine platforms.
- Emerging RNA viruses pose a continuous threat, necessitating adaptable and effective vaccine strategies.
Discussion:
- Oligonucleotide vaccines leverage unique viral genomic sequences as antigens to stimulate potent humoral and cellular immunity.
- These vaccines require single-stranded nucleic acids with stable 3D nanostructures and sequences absent in the host.
- By targeting conserved viral regions, oligonucleotide vaccines can provide a long-lasting immune response against mutating RNA viruses.
Key Insights:
- Oligonucleotide vaccines present a post-genomic platform capable of eliciting broad and durable immunity.
- They offer an advantage over S-protein-only vaccines by potentially avoiding antibody-dependent enhancement.
- This approach utilizes the virus's own genetic material to generate a powerful immune defense.
Outlook:
- The development of oligonucleotide vaccines is crucial for addressing future epidemics and pandemics caused by RNA viruses.
- This platform offers flexibility to adapt to new viral subtypes and evolving genomic sequences.
- Continued research into nucleic acid-based vaccines is strategically vital for global health security.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Viruses with RNA Genomes
01:23RNA Interference
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
02:28Leaky Scanning
02:15Experimental RNAi
01:26Size and Structure of Viral Genomes