Indian vaccine manufacturer recently developed a needle-free intra-nasal booster vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, using Codon deoptimization technology (CDT).
About Codon deoptimization technology (CDT):
- It is an advanced genetic engineering approach used to attenuate viruses for vaccine development.
- This technology works by altering the frequency of underrepresented codon pairs- the genetic codes for amino acids, without changing the actual amino acid sequences of the proteins.
- By replacing optimal codons with suboptimal ones, CDT effectively weakens the virus, reducing its ability to replicate and cause disease.
- It still maintains the ability to trigger a strong immune response.
- This method provides precise control over the degree of attenuation, ranging from 1% to 100%, making it highly versatile for different viruses.
- Compared to traditional methods of virus attenuation, which can take years, CDT offers significant advantages in terms of safety, efficiency, and speed.
- Virus attenuation is a method to reduce the virulence of a virus, or make it less pathogenic to its original host, so that it can be used as a vaccine.
- The guided attenuation ensures that the virus presents all necessary antigens, closely mimicking natural infection and inducing a broad-spectrum immune response.
- CDT is applicable to virtually all viruses, showcasing its potential as a powerful tool in vaccine development.
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Frequently Asked Question:
What is Codon Deoptimization Technology (CDT)?
Codon Deoptimization Technology (CDT) is a genetic engineering approach used to attenuate viruses for vaccine development by altering the frequency of codons used in the virus’s genetic code. It reduces the virus’s ability to replicate and cause disease while still triggering a strong immune response.
How does CDT work?
CDT works by replacing optimal codons (genetic codes for amino acids) with suboptimal ones in the virus’s genetic material.
What is virus attenuation, and why is it important for vaccines?
Virus attenuation involves reducing the virulence of a virus to make it less pathogenic, and can be used in vaccines to safely induce an immune response without causing the disease itself.