Nisha Pandey

Health and Me

AI-Designed Bird Flu Vaccine Outperforms Existing Shots In Animal Study

An experimental bird flu vaccine designed by researchers using artificial intelligence (AI) has shown significant promise. It provided complete protection against multiple virus variants in animal-based trials. It outperformed existing vaccines stockpiled by governments for a human outbreak.

Developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge and its spin-off company DIOSynVax, the broad-spectrum vaccine protected mice and ferrets against various variants of bird flu virus that were genetically diverse. In comparison, the existing vaccine used in the study protected only around 50% of the animals exposed to the same variants.

The findings were published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine recently. The researchers say the findings could help improve preparedness for future <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/its-the-best-studied-vaccine-in-human-history-former-cdc-adviser-busts-common-myths-about-covid-vaccines-article-156402480" data-type="tilCustomLink">influenza</a> outbreaks. The vaccine is yet to be tested in humans.

“Rather than providing immunity to a single variant of bird flu, our new broad-spectrum vaccine is protective against a huge range of variants. It’s designed to counteract viral evolution, rather than reacting to it,” said Professor Jonathan Heeney, who led the research at the University of Cambridge's Department of Veterinary Medicine.

<h2>Bird Flu Vaccine Designed Using AI</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/bird-flu-in-humans-2-cases-1-death-in-washington-experts-warn-of-h5n1-spread-and-viral-evolution-article-156451369" data-type="tilCustomLink">Bird Flu In Humans: 2 Cases, 1 Death In Washington; Experts Warn Of H5N1 Spread And Viral Evolution</a>

Traditional vaccines often target specific virus strains that have already emerged and infected humans. However, influenza viruses can mutate rapidly, which could reduce the effectiveness of vaccines made for earlier variants.

The researchers collected genetic sequence data from <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/us-bird-flu-can-h5n1-trigger-the-next-pandemic-article-156415961" data-type="tilCustomLink">bird flu</a> viruses recorded through global surveillance programmes to tackle this challenge. These included samples from wildlife, livestock and infected humans.

They then used AI to analyse the large datasets and identify antigen features shared across different viruses. Antigens are the components of a vaccine that stimulate the immune system to identify and respond to a pathogen.

The researchers then used this information to design synthetic antigens, which were screened in laboratory tests before the most promising candidate was selected for animal trials.

“Using AI vastly speeds up the process of vaccine design, and then we can test the vaccine candidates in the lab to make sure they’re robust and safe,” Heeney said.

Dr Sneha Vishwanath, a member of the research team, explained that the vaccine's antigens were designed to target multiple stages of the virus's lifecycle. “By instructing the immune system to target different stages of the viral lifecycle, we can induce an immune response blocking several crucial steps in its replication,” she said.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ai-created-virus-injected-into-a-human-for-the-first-time-to-fight-antibiotic-resistance-article-156438414" data-type="tilCustomLink">AI-Created Virus Injected Into A Human For The First Time To Fight Antibiotic Resistance</a>

The experimental bird flu vaccine provided complete protection to mice and ferrets that were exposed to various genetically diverse bird flu variants. These variants have all been linked with human infections and are considered major pandemic threats.

By comparison, only around 50% of the animals survived exposure when they were given the World Health Organization's existing bird <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/flu-covid-rsv-shingles-vaccines-studies-link-all-4-to-better-heart-health-article-156364268" data-type="tilCustomLink">flu vaccine</a>.

The researchers said the findings suggest that a vaccine designed to target features shared across multiple virus variants could offer better protection than one developed against a particular strain.

Flu Vaccine Guide: Best Time to Get Vaccinated & Side Effects | Doctors Explain

The vaccine has only been tested in animal trials. Human clinical trials are the next step in the protocol. Its safety and effectiveness in people will need to be established before it can be considered for use.

Bird flu, also known as <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/avian-influenza">avian influenza</a>, is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses that primarily affect birds but can sometimes infect mammals, including humans. Some human infections can be mild while other variants have caused severe illness and deaths.

The researchers believe developing vaccines that protect against a wider range of variants could help reduce the risks posed by emerging infections.

“It’s when bird flu adapts to live in the airways of mammals that we start to get really nervous,” Heeney said. “If we can make better animal vaccines, then we can better protect human health as well.”

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An experimental bird flu vaccine designed by researchers using artificial intelligence (AI) has shown significant promise. It provided complete protection against multiple virus variants in animal-based trials. It outperformed existing vaccines stockpiled by governments for a human outbreak.Developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge and its spin-off company DIOSynVax, the broad-spectrum vaccine protected mice and ferrets against various variants of bird flu virus that were genetically diverse. In comparison, the existing vaccine used in the study protected only around 50% of the animals exposed to the same variants.The findings were published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine recently. The researchers say the findings could help improve preparedness for future influenza outbreaks. The vaccine is yet to be tested in humans.“Rather than providing immunity to a single variant of bird flu, our new broad-spectrum vaccine is protective against a huge range of variants. It’s designed to counteract viral evolution, rather than reacting to it,” said Professor Jonathan Heeney, who led the research at the University of Cambridge's Department of Veterinary Medicine.Bird Flu Vaccine Designed Using AIAlso read: Bird Flu In Humans: 2 Cases, 1 Death In Washington; Experts Warn Of H5N1 Spread And Viral EvolutionTraditional vaccines often target specific virus strains that have already emerged and infected humans. However, influenza viruses can mutate rapidly, which could reduce the effectiveness of vaccines made for earlier variants.The researchers collected genetic sequence data from bird flu viruses recorded through global surveillance programmes to tackle this challenge. These included samples from wildlife, livestock and infected humans.They then used AI to analyse the large datasets and identify antigen features shared across different viruses. Antigens are the components of a vaccine that stimulate the immune system to identify and respond to a pathogen.The researchers then used this information to design synthetic antigens, which were screened in laboratory tests before the most promising candidate was selected for animal trials.“Using AI vastly speeds up the process of vaccine design, and then we can test the vaccine candidates in the lab to make sure they’re robust and safe,” Heeney said.Dr Sneha Vishwanath, a member of the research team, explained that the vaccine's antigens were designed to target multiple stages of the virus's lifecycle. “By instructing the immune system to target different stages of the viral lifecycle, we can induce an immune response blocking several crucial steps in its replication,” she said.What Did The Animal Study Find?Also read: AI-Created Virus Injected Into A Human For The First Time To Fight Antibiotic ResistanceThe experimental bird flu vaccine provided complete protection to mice and ferrets that were exposed to various genetically diverse bird flu variants. These variants have all been linked with human infections and are considered major pandemic threats.By comparison, only around 50% of the animals survived exposure when they were given the World Health Organization's existing bird flu vaccine.The researchers said the findings suggest that a vaccine designed to target features shared across multiple virus variants could offer better protection than one developed against a particular strain.Human Trials Remain      The vaccine has only been tested in animal trials. Human clinical trials are the next step in the protocol. Its safety and effectiveness in people will need to be established before it can be considered for use.Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses that primarily affect birds but can sometimes infect mammals, including humans. Some human infections can be mild while other variants have caused severe illness and deaths.The researchers believe developing vaccines that protect against a wider range of variants could help reduce the risks posed by emerging infections.“It’s when bird flu adapts to live in the airways of mammals that we start to get really nervous,” Heeney said. “If we can make better animal vaccines, then we can better protect human health as well.”

ai-designed bird flu vaccine outperforms existing shots in animal study

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