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BEIJING, October / PRNewswire) – A report from the Science and Technology Daily:
Prevention and control of epidemics require coordinated efforts, as does associated scientific research.
During Chinese New Year 2020 (Spring Festival), Ma Juncai, a researcher at the Institute of Microbiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and Wei Qiang of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Rain Disease Control and Prevention Ideas, China CDC) to gather ideas on how to develop a COVID-19 related research support system that builds on the strengths of both sides.
The National Microbiology Data Center, managed by Ma, can serve as an information platform, while the National Pathogen Resource Collection Center, led by Wei, can provide virus strains. At the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, the two researchers began looking for ways to better fight the virus. Shortly after their brainstorming session, on January 24, the Novel Coronavirus National Science and Technology Resource Service System was released.
In addition to publishing information on virus strains and scientific data on the outbreak, the system also provides other scientific and technological information and resources for disease prevention and control, e.g. Virus detection methods, genomes and scientific literature.
The system is the epitome of coordinated services for cutting-edge COVID-19 research.
This collaboration is not limited to the purely scientific community. Relevant institutes, universities and companies have also cooperated in the development of medicines and vaccines.
Li Hangwen, founder and CEO of biotech company Stemirna Therapeutics, said: “We contacted the CDC of China on January 16, hoping to cooperate in the development of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.”
Li recalled that Tan Wenjie, a China CDC investigator, sent him the antigens expected to be produced a few days before the Chinese New Year. Based on a professional analysis of the virus sequences, researchers at the CDC in China believed that certain sequences could elicit an immune response.
Li said that thanks to the CDC’s valuable experience in China and cutting-edge analytical techniques, vaccine development is off to a good start. The Stemirna Therapeutics R&D staff started working 24 hours after receiving the antigens.
Li mobilized all the partners and suppliers of his company to satisfy the shortage of raw materials during the Chinese New Year holidays.
“When they discovered that their supplies would be used for scientific research on COVID-19, they offered to do everything possible to facilitate our development activities,” Li said.
Cooperation between research institutions, universities and companies is also developing other innovative types of vaccines. For example, Xiamen University and Changchun Bcht Biotechnology Co. are working on the development of a vaccine to be administered as a nasal drop; CAS Institute of Microbiology and Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co. are working on the development of a recombinant protein vaccine; The Academy of Military Medical Sciences is collaborating with CanSinoBIO to develop an adenovirus vector vaccine.
After the virus broke out, the Chinese scientific community has worked closely and successfully to share the latest developments with other countries in a timely manner.
China has made the entire genetic sequence of the virus accessible worldwide, which has been praised by the global scientific community. The country’s efforts to share information and progress continue unabated.
The Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Health Commission, together with other departments, have established the COVID-19 academic research communication platform (COVID-19 academic research communication platform), which is an important channel for academic staff around the world. of the latest research results.
China has made its COVID-19 prevention and control guidelines and its diagnosis and treatment plans available to 180 countries and more than 10 international and regional organizations.
Many Chinese companies and research institutions are working with their colleagues abroad to develop vaccines against COVID-19.
China has translated all interim hospital guidelines, management manuals and clinical guidelines into the national language of countries facing rapidly increasing outbreaks of COVID-19.
As the fight against the virus continues, researchers work tirelessly in laboratories and medical centers to achieve scientific breakthroughs that will undoubtedly play an important role in overcoming the pandemic.
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