Publications by authors named "Jonas B Sandbrink"
Regulation of research on microbes that cause disease in humans has historically been focused on taxonomic lists of 'bad bugs'. However, given our increased knowledge of these pathogens through inexpensive genome sequencing, 5 decades of research in microbial pathogenesis, and the burgeoning capacity of synthetic biologists, the limitations of this approach are apparent. With heightened scientific and public attention focused on biosafety and biosecurity, and an ongoing review by US authorities of dual-use research oversight, this article proposes the incorporation of sequences of concern (SoCs) into the biorisk management regime governing genetic engineering of pathogens.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMask wearing in community settings reduces SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
June 2022
The effectiveness of mask wearing at controlling severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission has been unclear. While masks are known to substantially reduce disease transmission in healthcare settings [D. K.
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- As biotechnology improves, there are more chances for the misuse of biological research, whether by accident or on purpose.
- * Open science makes sharing research easier, but it also raises concerns about safety and security when it comes to dangerous studies, like those involving viruses.
- * Experts in both open science and biosecurity need to work together to find ways to make research safe while still promoting new discoveries for everyone.
During the second half of 2020, many European governments responded to the resurging transmission of SARS-CoV-2 with wide-ranging non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). These efforts were often highly targeted at the regional level and included fine-grained NPIs. This paper describes a new dataset designed for the accurate recording of NPIs in Europe's second wave to allow precise modelling of NPI effectiveness.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOptimizing viral vectors and their properties will be important for improving the effectiveness and safety of clinical gene therapy. However, such research may generate dual-use insights relevant to the enhancement of pandemic pathogens. In particular, reliable and generalizable methods of immune evasion could increase viral fitness sufficient to cause a new pandemic.
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- * Research methods like gain-of-function studies could lead to the creation of dangerous viral variants, while extensive collection of zoonotic viruses raises the risk of accidental or intentional pathogen release.
- * To prepare for future health emergencies, it's essential to adopt a proactive strategy for assessing dual-use risks throughout all stages of research, from planning to publication.
European governments use non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to control resurging waves of COVID-19. However, they only have outdated estimates for how effective individual NPIs were in the first wave. We estimate the effectiveness of 17 NPIs in Europe's second wave from subnational case and death data by introducing a flexible hierarchical Bayesian transmission model and collecting the largest dataset of NPI implementation dates across Europe.
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- *Research funding is predominantly directed at viral vector and DNA vaccines, which pose higher risks of misuse related to bioengineering and could lead to dangerous biological events.
- *To manage these risks, emphasis should be placed on non-genetic modifications and promoting RNA technology while restructuring governance around biotechnology with dual-use concerns.
Article Synopsis
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for rapid development of vaccines and emergency medical countermeasures, emphasizing the importance of platform vaccines and prototype pathogen research.
- The text suggests improving funding approaches for vaccine R&D to enhance preparedness for future pandemics by focusing on flexible vaccine technologies and broader infectious disease research.
- It advocates for funding decisions that recognize the overall social value of pandemic preparedness rather than just the potential market value of vaccines for specific diseases.
Article Synopsis
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the risks of fast-spreading pathogens and the slow pace of current vaccine development.
- RNA-based vaccines show potential for rapid creation, approval, and low-cost production, making them candidates for managing future pandemics.
- While initial trials of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines show promise in terms of safety and immunogenicity, further optimization and efficacy trials are necessary to confirm their effectiveness against emerging threats.