In this Thursday’s (18th) edition of the Medical Correspondent panel, of Novo Dia, neurosurgeon Fernando Gomes spoke about a project that is trying to develop an edible vaccine against Covid-19.
Researchers at the Polytechnic Institute of Porto (IPP), in Portugal, are studying an immunizing agent that can be in the form of yogurt or juice. For now, scientists are doing laboratory tests and plan to start testing on animals in the coming weeks.
The project’s idea is to raise money to try to make this vaccine available within six months to a year.
Unlike injectable vaccines, the Portuguese immunizing agent is not intended to stimulate the immune system, but the cellular response, explained Fernando Gomes.
“When we have an infection there are two types of response [do corpo]: the production of specific antibodies for the antigen, be it bacteria, virus or fungus, and the defense of the organism itself from the cellular point of view”, said the doctor.
“The virus, for example, ends up being swallowed by an individual’s cell and there will be a response not only linked to the production of antibodies, but to the cells’ own memory to recognize that external agent and quickly eliminate its existence”, he added.
“The line of thought of this project is to develop a kind of probiotic, in which it is possible, over time, to have a more adequate cellular response, specifically against the coronavirus”, stated Fernando Gomes.
(Posted by: André Rigue)
Reference: CNN Brasil
