Researchers at the Bhubaneshwar Life Science Institute tested the models for preclinical studies of Vaccines Covid-19 and therapies. The models can only be used within the level of animal biosecurity three laboratories, which are present at the Institute

Researchers at the Bhubaneshwar Life Science Institute (ILS) have developed and tested on hamster models and mice that resemble human SARS-2 infection for preclinical studies of Vaccines and COVID-19 therapies. The models can only be used within the level of animal biosecurity three laboratories, which are present at the Institute.

The models will probably be used for the investigation of the National Research Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (Mumbai), Indian Institute of Technology in Indore, Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (Bengaluru), National Laboratory of Chemicals (Pune) and Innovative center and the applied bioprocessing (Pune), etc.

Such models are necessary to understand the virus and test the therapeutic agents for safety and efficiency before human trials. A team of researchers at the Institute tested Hamster’s SARS-COV-2 model using the local virus isolate. The study of proteins shows similarities between infection in hamsters and humans.

The clinical parameters and the tissue samples analyzed also show the similarity in the infection. “This provided a strong molecular evidence that supports the clinical relevance of this model in research COVID-19,” said Ministry of Science and Technology Statement.