UT Austin researchers say process simple to modify COVID vaccine for omicron variant

 The University of Texas at Austin researchers who helped develop the technology behind the COVID-19 vaccine say the technology created works well against different variants.

UT researchers who helped develop a key part of the vaccine are now looking into ways to protect against all forms of the coronavirus. This is coming as new fears form that the current COVID vaccines might not be effective enough against the omicron variant.

"We've been focused mainly on developing next-generation vaccines. Vaccines that have improved properties," UT Professor of Molecular Bioscience, Dr. Jason McLellan said.

Dr. McLellan is one of the UT professors who helped develop the way the COVID vaccine attacks the virus.

"We're focused on making changes to the spike protein that increase the amount of spike produced from the mRNA that increases the stability of the spike protein," McLellan said.

That means the spike protein is introduced to the body, so the immune system recognizes it and makes antibodies.

As omicron spreads, vaccine makers are now preparing for vaccine modifications if needed. McLellan said those changes could be simple.

"It's just a stretch of mRNA made up of four different nucleotides and they can just change a couple of them and then you have a new vaccine," he said.

President Joe Biden addressed the nation Monday about the omicron variant and said his team doesn't believe that additional measures will be needed, but plans are in place.

"I will also direct the FDA and CDC to use the fastest process available without cutting any corners for safety to get vaccines approved and on the market if needed," Biden said.

Top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci remains confident that the current vaccines provide a level of protection against the new omicron variant. This is showing that UT researchers' technology is working.

"Our technology that's been incorporated into the various vaccines works well for all the different variants," McLellan said.

https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/ut-austin-researchers-say-process-simple-to-modify-covid-vaccine-for-omicron-variant