Queensland scientists join race to avert catastrophic coronavirus pandemic

The eyes of the world are on University of Queensland scientists who are in an unprecedented race against time to develop a vaccine for the deadly coronavirus using their pioneering technology that has already targeted ebola, Nipah and MERS.

THE hopes of the world rest on Queensland scientists who are in an unprecedented race against time to develop a vaccine for the deadly coronavirus.

In a simple lab at the University of Queensland, a team is working around the clock to save the globe from a catastrophic pandemic.

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a global alliance that finances and co-ordinates the development of new vaccines to prevent and contain infectious diseases, sent out the SOS to the state’s scientists who have developed a rapid response vaccine technology designed specifically for this kind of critical response.

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Their mission is to create the vaccine in less than six months.

Queensland scientists Dr Keith Chappell and Dr Trent Munro in their laboratory. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Professor Paul Young, Dr Keith Chappell and Dr Dan Watterson are the developers of the pioneering vaccine technology and the team has high hopes of successfully targeting the pathogen. The technology has already shown promising results targeting influenza, ebola, Nipah and MERS coronavirus.

CEPI is funding two other international programs to develop the critical jab.

“The team hopes to develop a vaccine over the next six months, which may be used to help contain this outbreak. The vaccine would be distributed to first responders, helping to contain the virus from spreading around the world,” Head of the university’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Professor Paul Young said.

The technology is capable of the rapid generation of new vaccines from the knowledge of a virus’s genetic sequence information.

Mers Corona Virus.

Two Queenslanders are being assessed amid concerns they may have the virus but four others have been cleared. Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young has urged anyone with respiratory symptoms to see a doctor.

The virus originated in China and has already spread to US, Vietnam and Japan. It has killed 26 people and infected more than 800. Eight Chinese cities are in lockdown.

Dr Keith Chappell, from the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology said the key to the speedy development of this potential vaccine was the ‘molecular clamp’ technology, invented by UQ scientists and patented by UniQuest.

“The University of Queensland’s molecular clamp technology provides stability to the viral protein that is the primary target for our immune defence,” he said.