A level Bio help!!

Can DNA sequencing be used to select the specific & correct antigen for a particular vaccine?

Yes, DNA sequencing can be used to select the specific and correct antigen for a particular vaccine. Antigens are molecules that can stimulate an immune response in the body, and they are the key component of vaccines.

By sequencing the DNA of a pathogen, researchers can identify the specific antigens that are produced by the pathogen and that are recognized by the immune system. These antigens can then be used to develop a vaccine that triggers an immune response against the pathogen. DNA sequencing can also help in designing the vaccine by modifying or optimizing the antigens for better efficacy.

For example, in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 virus was sequenced and the spike protein was identified as the key antigen for vaccine development. Vaccines such as Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna utilize the mRNA technology that contains the genetic sequence for the spike protein, which then instructs cells in the body to produce the protein and trigger an immune response.
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