How to disable a virus
Note: We would love to know how you are re-using our graphics, especially if you are a teacher using them in the classroom. Send us an email: knowablemagazine AT annualreviews DOT org
To build a protein, three-letter codons (words) in messenger RNA specify which of the 20 amino acids should go next in the growing protein chain. (An intermediate molecule, transfer RNA, delivers the correct amino acid to match the codon.) Most amino acids can be specified by several codons, but not all are incorporated at the same speed. Vaccine developers can use genetic engineering to swap in the slowest codons at many sites in the virus’s genome. This slows down the virus’s activity enough that it can no longer cause disease — a safe, effective way to create a live-virus vaccine.
Read more: "What next-gen Covid-19 vaccines might look like"
How to disable a virus
Note: We would love to know how you are re-using our graphics, especially if you are a teacher using them in the classroom. Send us an email: knowablemagazine AT annualreviews DOT org
To build a protein, three-letter codons (words) in messenger RNA specify which of the 20 amino acids should go next in the growing protein chain. (An intermediate molecule, transfer RNA, delivers the correct amino acid to match the codon.) Most amino acids can be specified by several codons, but not all are incorporated at the same speed. Vaccine developers can use genetic engineering to swap in the slowest codons at many sites in the virus’s genome. This slows down the virus’s activity enough that it can no longer cause disease — a safe, effective way to create a live-virus vaccine.
Read more: "What next-gen Covid-19 vaccines might look like"