TAU Wins 3M Grant to Accelerate COVID-19 Vaccine Development

Written on |

Grantee Professor Jonathan Gershoni aims to block the coronavirus by targeting its most vulnerable spot

Science-based technology company 3M has awarded a significant philanthropic research grant of $400,000 (1.36 million NIS) to the Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research at Tel Aviv University to advance scientific knowledge in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant from 3M, which bases its Israel operations in Herzliya, is part of a $5 million initiative to support research programs with a focus on treatments and vaccine development for COVID-19 at leading educational establishments around the world. TAU secured the funding through an international competitive process; this reflects the high esteem in which the University’s scientific research programs are held. The grant was disbursed via 3M’s grant-making partner, GlobalGiving, to ensure thorough vetting, due diligence and reporting. The research project is being led by Professor Jonathan Gershoni, a renowned expert in viral pathogens, who said: “Publication of the SARS CoV2 genome on January 9, 2020, launched the race for a COVID-19 vaccine. Tens of vaccine candidates have already entered clinical trials, the leaders of which are actively recruiting thousands of volunteers worldwide for phase III efficacy trials. All these efforts use the viral spike protein as their vaccine’s active ingredient. This relatively large protein is made up of 1200 amino acids arranged in groups of three, decorating the virus with a crown-like appearance. “The spike protein presents many targets that have evolved to confuse and distract our immune system and to steer us away from the virus’ most vulnerable soft spot, its receptor-binding motif (RBM). In order for the virus to successfully infect us and cause COVID- 19, it must first latch onto a unique protein, the ACE2 receptor, which is present on the surface of our lung cells. For this, the viral RBM, a tiny but highly complex structure, must detect ACE2, bind to it and mediate infection. A vaccine that exclusively targets the RBM should be extremely potent in affording maximal protection against SARS CoV2 by stimulating our immune system in the most efficient and cost-effective way. “We have developed a novel patented technology to ‘surgically’ isolate the RBM from the rest of the spike protein. This grant from 3M will significantly enhance our efforts to produce a highly focused, potent and especially safe vaccine for COVID 19,” he added. Prof. Gershoni’s Lab team (Photographer: Moshe Bedarshi) This study is anchored in more than 30 years of research on the interaction of RNA viruses with their receptors and the immune response against them, noted Professor Tal Pupko, Head of the Shmunis School at TAU. “The 3M grant will dramatically accelerate the pace of research for overcoming COVID-19,” said Professor Pupko, adding that Tel Aviv University was particularly proud to be included in this important global initiative by 3M. “Science is at the heart of 3M and we are committed to advancing the rapid study of this virus as part of our continued effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Isabelle Zadikov-Carp, 3M Israel Country Leader. “It’s important that 3M holds true to its core values by supporting our communities and improving lives. We hope that the grant to TAU will facilitate the development of an effective vaccine and we will be keenly following the progress and outcomes of Professor Gershoni’s research with interest.” Featured image: Professor Jonathan Gershoni (Photographer: Moshe Bedarshi)

Related posts

Hyperbaric Treatment More Effective than Medicines for Fibromyalgia Caused by Head Injury

24 March 2023

Promoting Women in Medicine

9 March 2023

#TAU_WOMEN_POWER

7 March 2023

Researchers Discover Mechanism that Facilitates Formation of Brain Metastases

27 February 2023

Light Pollution is Killing Desert Rodents

10 February 2023

Three Tel Aviv University Researchers Awarded the ERC Proof of Concept (PoC) grants

9 February 2023

Researchers Identify A New Genetic Risk Factor for Age-related Eye Disease

8 February 2023

People With Autism Experience Pain at a Higher Intensity

31 January 2023

Researchers Uncover New Factors Linked to Williams Syndrome

24 January 2023

Lessons in Tolerance and DNA Extraction in Tel Aviv University’s Medical Labs

18 January 2023

Medical Clowns – No Laughing Matter

18 January 2023

Tel Aviv University’s First MedTech Hackathon Sets a High Bar

15 January 2023

Researchers use Smartwatches to Measure Safety of COVID Vaccine

28 December 2022

Tel Aviv University Establishes Multidisciplinary Center for Research of Autoimmune Diseases

18 December 2022

Breakthrough in the Field of Controlled Drug Delivery

16 December 2022

Common Medications May Reduce Risk of Metastases after Colon and Rectal Cancer

9 December 2022

Victoria

Tok Corporate Centre, Level 1,
459 Toorak Road, Toorak VIC 3142
Phone: +61 3 9296 2065
Email: office@aftau.asn.au

New South Wales

Level 22, Westfield Tower 2, 101 Grafton Street, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Phone: +61 418 465 556
Email: davidsolomon@aftau.org.au

Western Australia

P O Box 36, Claremont,
WA  6010
Phone: :+61 411 223 550
Email: clivedonner@thelinqgroup.com