Shayana Saravanakumar

Abstract T cells play a crucial role in clearing SARS-CoV-2 and in forming long-term memory responses to that coronavirus. The highly immunogenic nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2 is much more conserved than the spike (S) protein across variants of concern, making it an attractive vaccine target for activating cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. Of particular interest are the immunodominant N epitopes LLL and SPR.

Abstract The constant evolution of pathogenic viral variants and the emergence of new viruses have reinforced the need for broad-spectrum vaccines to combat such threats. The spread of new viral variants leading to epidemic and pandemic infection can be effectively contained, if broad-spectrum vaccines effective against the newer viral variants are readily available.