Scientific Breakthroughs -The World Works Together To Find a Cure For Coronavirus

British and Canadian scientists are closer to developing a vaccine to combat deadly coronavirus.  Having done tests on animals, scientists are hopeful they are close to a breakthrough.

At Imperial College in London, a research team of top scientists are working vigorously in the Infectious Diseases department.  Leading virologist, Professor Robin Shattock would like to move into the phase of human trials with a request to the UK Government for £2 million funding.

Senior UK researcher Dr. Paul McKay says “We’ve made a vaccine and already tested it in mice.  I’ve got results from a month after I injected those and the vaccine works really, really well”.  Dr. McKay is hopeful the same effect can work in humans. Scientists in Paris are also working with the British team to test the vaccine in monkeys who will be monitored for the next month.

Over in Canada, a team of researchers from McMaster University and the University of Toronto has isolated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the agent responsible for the ongoing outbreak.

The Canadian team was able to culture the virus from two clinical specimens in a Level 3 containment facility.  The isolated virus will help Canada and the world develop better diagnostic testing, treatments and vaccines.

Researchers in Canada have come together to work on this project with Dr. Rob Kozak, clinical microbiologist at Sunnybrook saying “it demonstrates the amazing things that can happen when we collaborate”.

The Canadian researchers plan to share their findings with other experts worldwide.  It appears that a world working together can hopefully achieve great things.