Progress in Nucleic Acid Testing and Vaccine Research for the Novel Coronavirus

Abstract

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, nucleic acid testing has become a critical means for epidemic control, playing an irreplaceable role in containment. Firstly, testing techniques have evolved from initial real-time fluorescence PCR to advanced highthroughput detection technologies including isothermal nucleic acid amplification, nucleic acid mass spectrometry, and next-generation sequencing. These new techniques have enabled highly efficient nucleic acid detection and significantly shortened turnaround time, with improved sensitivity. However, the stability and accuracy of detection still need improvement, requiring comprehensive optimization in aspects like sample processing and reagent selection.In the meantime, remarkable progress has also been achieved in vaccine development, with multiple COVID-19 vaccines approved for use. Vaccines can be categorized into inactivated vaccines, recombinant protein vaccines, DNA vaccines, mRNA vaccines, and viral vector vaccines based on technological approaches. All these vaccines can induce immune responses to some extent, but protection durability and efficacy against emerging variants remain to be investigated. Optimizing vaccine design to enhance safety and immunogenicity is the current priority.