Covid vaccine deliverers targeted by our own bodies

Chan, Chun Kit

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/114221 Copy

Description

Title

Covid vaccine deliverers targeted by our own bodies

Author(s)

Chan, Chun Kit

Issue Date

2022

Keyword(s)

Physics

Abstract

Genetic materials needed to build our immunogenicity against covid 19 are delivered to our cells through a deliverer. For mRNA, this delivered is a nano-lipid particle, whereas for adenovirus-based vaccines, such as AstraZeneca or J & J's Janseen, the delivered is a viral capsid. Sometimes, these capsids, such as ones derived from the Chimpanzee Adenovirus ChAdOx1 (grey & white surfaces), are mistaken as pathogens by our own body. Here, platelet factor 4, the little multi-colored proteins, identify ChAdOx1 as a pathogen and associate with it through electrostatic forces (red, wireframe surface), triggering a cascade of events that leads to the rare blood clotting observed in covid 19 vaccinations. Our computational results match speculations from AstraZeneca, leading to a collaboration to deepen the use of simulation techniques to explore rare, undesirable biological events that can arise from new therapeutics. This interdisciplinary approach contributes to the development of safe therapeutics.

Type of Resource

• Text
• Image

Language

eng

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/114221

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2022 Chun Kit Chan

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