Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic inspired exceptional efforts in vaccine development. By January 10, exactly 12 months after the sequence of SARS-CoV-2 was reported, there were eight vaccines cleared for use. Michael Gross reports.
Highlights
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic inspired exceptional efforts in vaccine development
The sequence revealed that the RNA genome of the virus known as SARS-CoV-2 only encodes four proteins, namely the spike, envelope, membrane and nucleocapsid proteins
As the spike proteins protruding from the spherical shell of the virus like antennae are both the first contact point with human cells and a crucial tool for docking onto the cells’ angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE2, all vaccine development efforts, if they weren’t using the entire virus, focused on creating an immune response against the spike protein or parts of it
Summary
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic inspired exceptional efforts in vaccine development. By January 10, exactly 12 months after the sequence of SARSCoV-2 was reported, there were eight vaccines cleared for use. This explains why, in spite of the very rapid development, the trial results are as robust as for any other new vaccine getting approved. Within a year of the sequence report, eight vaccines were approved by at least one country.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
