New research expected to help develop universal flu vaccine

Wong released the results of his research in a speech titled "Protein Glycosylation: New Challenges and Opportunities" delivered at the five-day 12th International Symposium of the Society of Chinese Bioscientists in America (SCBA), which opened at Academia Sinica Sunday.

The expert in bio-organic and synthetic chemistry and biocatalysis said his team found that once the glycoprotein the flu virus uses to cover its existence is removed, the human immune system can identify it and attack when the virus invades the body.

Wong explained that more than 50 percent of the proteins found in humans are glocosylated, which is why flu virus uses glycoprotein as a disguise.

Given the fact that the protein sequence within the glycoprotein is mostly conserved, it is theoretically possible to make a molecular vaccine with a flu virus that has had its disguise removed, therefore allowing the immune system to identify the virus, Wong said.

The theoretical molecular vaccine could maintain its anti-flu capability for several years, unlike the existing virus vaccines, which must be updated every year to maintain their effectiveness, Wong said.

In addition, he noted,such a molecularvaccinecould theoretically be used to fight against almost all kinds of flu virus.

As the research is still now in the animal testing stages, it will take up to 10 years before a new vaccine is commercially available, Wong said, noting that the development and manufacture of the vaccine, however, can all be achieved in Taiwan.

Meanwhile, he also noted that his team has discovered that breast, lung, large intestine, ovarian and prostate cancers all have a unique glocoaprotein named Globo H.

With this discovery, a molecular vaccine can be developed against those cancers, Wong said, adding that this work will also be conducted in Taiwan.



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