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Georgia Scientists Join The Race For A Zika Vaccine
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The University of Georgia and an Atlanta-based biotechnology company are working on a vaccine for the Zika virus. Ted Ross of UGA’s Center for Vaccines and Immunology is leading the effort.
Many vaccines use weakened or dead versions of a virus. But Ross and his team are working with Virus Like Particles, or VLPs, created by GeoVax Labs of Smyrna.
“Using VLPs gives you this advantage of using something that looks exactly like the virus, but doesn’t actually cause infection," Ross says.
Instead, VLPs mimic an infection to stimulate the immune system. Ross say his lab will soon be ready to begin animal testing.
Researchers around the world are working on possible Zika vaccines, with hope of bringing one to market by next year.
Tags: zika virus, University of Georgia, ted ross, geovax labs
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