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Reverse Vaccinology to Develop Pneumonia Vaccine
A team of British scientists is taking an important first step in developing a vaccine against pneumonia by using reverse vaccinology. The news highlights reverse vaccinology as an emerging concept in vaccine development that uses genome information and computational analysis.
Reverse Vaccinology:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Definition and tools | Reverse vaccinology comprises an innovative approach to vaccine development that utilizes bioinformatics and computational analysis. |
| Core method | Reverse vaccinology provides for identification of potential vaccine targets within pathogen genomes, allowing for the modeling of epitopes and the creation of tailored vaccines for improved efficacy and safety. |
| Term origin | The term “reverse vaccinology” applies to a term coined by Rino Rappuoli in 2000. |
| Whole-genome basis | Reverse vaccinology applies to a method for vaccine design that uses the information obtainable from whole-genome analysis. |
| First application mentioned | Reverse vaccinology applies to a method first applied to development of a vaccine against serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis (MenB). |
| Other pathogens mentioned | Reverse vaccinology applies to applications for pathogens: Bacillus anthracis, Streptococcus pneumonia, and M. tuberculosis. |
| Mechanism | The mechanism comprises steps: Genome sequencing (cloning and expression of proteins predicted in silico to be surface exposed or secreted); Screening (each protein screened through high-throughput immunization); Laboratory testing (chosen proteins made in a lab and tested in animal models to see if they safely cause immunity). |