Scientific breakthroughs often rely on safer virus alternatives. From Jenner’s use of cowpox to develop protection against smallpox to modern researchers using animal viruses to study human diseases, using viral surrogates, less risky viruses help us explore high-risk pathogens by uncovering shared traits within virus families.
This presentation explores the history of viral surrogates, beginning with the creation of vaccines going to the current studies and the potential future research. This topic derived from my honours project, which focused on developing a reverse genetic system for NL63, a tool to monitor infections and behaviour. This coronavirus uses the same entry receptor (ACE2) as SARS-CoV-2, the causing agent of COVID-19. Unlike SARS-CoV-2, this virus is categorised as low-risk due to its mild flu-like symptoms, making it a safer and more accessible model for scientific research. This investigation showed me first-hand how alternative models enable virology research to be appropriately scaled and adapted across academic levels.
Understanding and expanding the use of these models is crucial for future research. They will allow us to study dangerous viruses safely and advance global health preparedness.