Webinar: Biotechnology / COVID19- the science behind the development of vaccines in the 21st century
San José, Costa Rica
April 2, 2020
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Online
Coronaviruses are an extensive family of viruses that can cause disease in both animals and humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections that can range from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). (CCSS, 2020)
The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19. COVID-19 is the most recently discovered infectious disease caused by the coronavirus. Both the new virus and the disease were unknown before the outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. (CCSS, 2020)
Currently, many countries in the world, including Costa Rica, are working on sequencing the genome means understanding what the genetic makeup of the virus is to unravel the instructions it follows when it infects a human being. By sequencing the virus's genome, scientists can determine what causes the disease, what its origin is, how closely it resembles others already known, determine mutations or strains, and develop therapies to fight it.
By sequencing the genome of different strains of SARS-CoV-2, different vaccines can be developed to treat people who have contracted one or the other strain, something that happens, for example, with seasonal influenza. This research technique is relevant because a vaccine created for one specific strain may not work for others.
In an effort to provide scientific information around the topics that concern us and in the framework of the COVID19 pandemic, ILSI Mesoamerica is organizing a series of webinars that aim to:
- Favor the positioning of science as the basis for the development of all human activities and in compliance with the objectives of sustainable development.
- Provide scientific information that provides clear information and that allows us to fight against false news in our framework.
This first webinar aims to inform all our stakeholders of the importance and impact that biotechnology is having around the attention of the crisis by COVID19; which will allow us to speak of biotechnology in a positive way and generate an adequate understanding of it against the bad news associated with it.
Speakers:
Dr. Student. Kattia Núñez Montero
Biotechnologist TEC- Researcher in charge of the Costa Rican Listeria Genome with Inst Pasteur.
Dr. Ana Lisa Valenciano Murillo.
Biotechnologist-TEC- Virginia Tech Doctorate- Georgia University Postdoctorate.
QMC/Ph.D. David Loría
Professor of Medical Virology, University of Costa Rica. Ph.D. from Emory University in Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis. Atlanta / USA Training at the Polio Eradication Laboratory in 2002-2003 during the SARS outbreak under the supervision of Mark Pallansch, CDC, Atlanta / USA.
Important notes:
- Registration is not required.
- Please keep your microphones off (on Mute) during the session.
- You can make your questions through the system chat.
- To connect use the following link: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/220210685