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As we all know, biomedicine and its applications are now an inseparable part of research in medicine and pharmacology. The reason is that it offers greater speed and reliability in data analysis.

Biotechnology has the potential to accelerate the discovery and process of preclinical studies of vaccines and medicines. Through the computer (in silico) scientists can discover placebo a drug or a vaccine that could be effective against a virus. In other words, the molecular structures of a virus are used to analyze the bonds and simulations of molecular dynamics that predict the affinity of the chemical binding of these structures with known compounds. This provides important information avoiding harming animate beings and gaining valuable time.

Then, after a drug, for example, has been discovered in silico it must be tested first besides on living organism, e.g., in a test tube (in vitro).

https://particle3d.com/what-are-organoids-and-why-are-they-important/
https://particle3d.com/what-are-organoids-and-why-are-they-important/

Three-dimensional cell models are a very modern but also an innovative solution. Specifically, the models consist of cell aggregates or organoids, cultured in an intracellular substance which provides the possibility of cell growth. Organoids are obtained from pluripotent stem cells, while engineered tissues are mainly derivatives of multipotent or monovalent cells. For example, in some studies on SARS-CoV-2, organoid epithelium of human airways, human liver, human kidney and vessel were used. With this method, conditions are created that are like the test in a living organism (in vivo).

Another innovative, in vitro, tools are bioreactor perfused cell models. In these models, cellular structures or organoids are hosted in culture chambers which are connected to a hydraulic system that allows the nutrient medium to penetrate the cultures. Microfluidic systems are a miniature of these models made of transparent material and integrated channels thus being able to accommodate cell cultures. This creates, as above, test states that approach test situations in living organisms.

After the in vitro test, it is time to test on living organisms. Immunization causes the response innate immune cells and adaptive immune cells to a pathogen, a process that is quite complex and time-consuming. To facilitate and save time, imaging models are used while living things are still alive (intravital). Such visualizations have analysis at the cellular level and in real time. In fact, there is the ability to observe the progress of infection and the consequences of vaccines/drugs. Intravital imaging can significantly reduce the time of preclinical studies, experimental drugs and vaccines. At the same time, it reduces to 90% the need for the use of animals in tests while they are not alive (ex vitro).

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44777-0
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44777-0

All these tools could not be mentioned without a glaring example. The development of vaccines for SARS-CoV-19 took place in a very short time thanks to the developed applications of biomedical technology and the cooperation of many scientists; without doubt, it is not an absolute success against the virus, but every scientific achievement has the potential to be a springboard for new discoveries.

A new discovery seems to be coming to the fore with the "help" of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine. Scientists from the University of Oxford and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research are heading for success from the vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 of AstraZeneca-Oxford to develop a vaccine against Cancer. Scholars have created a 2-dose therapeutic vaccine for cancer, using Oxford's viral vector technology. The technology of the Oxford vaccine, used to create the well-known Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19, produces CD8+ T cell reactions, which are needed for the treatment of patients. To create a treatment through vaccination specifically aimed at cancer cells, the vaccine was designed to target 2 MAGE-type proteins (MAGE-A3, NY-ESO-1) that are located on the surface of many cancer cells. By controlling it in mice with cancer, there was an increase in the levels of T-lymphocytes penetrating the tumors and an improvement in the effectiveness of anti-cancer immunotherapy. The combination of immunotherapy and vaccine showed a greater decrease in the size of tumors and better survival rates in mice.

More information and results will be available later this year following clinical studies in cancer patients.