Chinese scientists have developed a new broad-spectrum mRNA vaccine that could provide long-lasting protection against several of the deadliest strains of the Ebola virus, including the Bundibugyo strain linked to recent outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
The vaccine, developed using messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, aims to overcome a major limitation of current Ebola vaccines, which primarily target the Zaire Ebola virus strain. Researchers say the new approach could offer protection against multiple Ebola variants, potentially strengthening global preparedness for future outbreaks.
Ebola, also known as Ebola Virus Disease, is a severe and often fatal illness that can cause fever, vomiting, internal bleeding and organ failure. The disease is transmitted through direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids and has a fatality rate of around 50 percent in many outbreaks.
According to the World Health Organization, current tools against Ebola remain limited. While two licensed vaccines are available, both mainly focus on the Zaire strain, leaving a gap in protection against other dangerous variants.
To address this challenge, researchers designed a multivalent mRNA vaccine known as GPs+NP@LNP. Similar to the technology used in COVID-19 vaccines, the new vaccine does not contain a live virus. Instead, it delivers genetic instructions that teach the immune system to recognise and respond to multiple Ebola strains.
The vaccine combines three viral surface glycoproteins from different Ebola strains, including Ebola, Sudan and Bundibugyo viruses, with a nucleoprotein that is highly conserved across Ebola variants. The glycoproteins stimulate the production of protective antibodies, while the nucleoprotein helps activate T-cells that can identify and destroy infected cells.
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