Getting Technical
CHARLES NICOLSON
Charles Nicolson has a physics and chemistry degree from Natal University which he subsequently put to good use by applying speciality chemicals in mining and industrial processes where water is a major factor . This created an enduring interest in water technology , a passion that expanded to the HVAC industry in 1984 when he joined BHT Water Treatment . Since then , water technology in HVAC water circuits has continued to be an abiding interest .
VACCINES
By Charles Nicolson
Countermeasures against Covid-19 including development , manufacture and provision of an effective vaccine .
This is the first of two final articles on the subject of the unforeseen emergence and rapid global spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 , which has created a daunting global
public health challenge .
To address this challenge NIAID – the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the USA – has been focusing its considerable resources of experience and expertise on infectious diseases for development of specific medical countermeasures including diagnostics , therapeutics , and vaccines .
The NIAID plan notes that a comprehensive strategy requires a coordinated effort by governmental , academic , private , and community-based organisations . The NIAID COVID-19 Research initiative defines the areas of Covid-19 research within NIAID
capabilities and outlines the institute ’ s research priorities and goals . This strategic plan builds on many other national efforts and represents a commitment from multiple US government agencies to improve coordination of national and international Covid-19 research and discovery efforts as well as the development of specialised countermeasures . NIAID actively participates in many other Covid-19 task forces to identify opportunities , ensure open communications , encourage resource sharing , and avoid duplication of efforts .
The NIAID plan is structured around four strategic research priorities : 1 . Improving knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 , including studies to characterise the virus ; how it is transmitted and to understand the natural history , epidemiology , host immunity , and the genetic , immunologic , and clinical associations leading to severe
NIAID-RML disease outcomes . This also includes expanding and accelerating the development of small and large animal models that replicate human disease .
2 . Supporting the development of diagnostics and assays , including point-of-care molecular and antigen-based diagnostics for identifying and isolating Covid-19 cases and serological assays to better understand disease prevalence in the population . Diagnostics also will be essential when evaluating the effectiveness of proposed countermeasures .
3 . Characterising and testing therapeutics , including identifying and evaluating re-purposed drugs along with novel broad-spectrum antiviral drugs , virus-targeted antibody-based therapies which include plasma-derived intravenous immunoglobulin ( IVIG ) and monoclonal antibodies within host-directed strategies to combat Covid-19 .
4 . Developing safe and effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 , including support of clinical trial testing .
This scanning electron microscope image shows the yellow SARS- CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19 emerging from the surface of cells ( pink ). The virus was isolated from a patient in the United States and cultured in a laboratory .
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I January 2021 53