Researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Southampton developed a “universal vaccine” designed to protect against multiple Sarbeco coronaviruses, which the university explained in a news release<\/a> is “the large group of viruses that occur in nature including SARS-CoV-2, which caused the COVID pandemic.”<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES<\/a><\/p>\n Traditional vaccines must constantly be updated as viruses mutate, and the process is “like a dog chasing its tail,” said University of Southampton professor Saul Faust, the trial\u2019s chief investigator.<\/p>\n “Viruses like Influenza<\/a>, Coronaviruses and the Ebola group are evolving continuously, and by the time vaccines are rolled out, they may be poorly matched \u2013 the current \u2018reactive\u2019 vaccine system struggles to keep pace,” Faust said.<\/p>\n Researchers have developed a vaccine using AI that has proven to be promising in “future-proofing” people against mutating infections. (iStock)<\/p>\n An antigen is the active ingredient in a vaccine meant to trigger an immune-system response and fight off infection. According to the release, the university scientists logged all the available genetic sequence data<\/a> for Sarbeco coronaviruses and used AI used to design a “super-antigen” that contains the antigen features “common to this whole group of viruses \u2013 including ones that haven\u2019t emerged yet.”<\/p>\n The trial of the vaccine proved safe and triggered an immune response in 39 healthy volunteers, marking “the first time that a vaccine whose active component was designed entirely by computer simulations has been tested in humans,” the release said.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n The trial vaccine was administered through a micro-fluid jet that delivers the immunization through the skin using a tiny, high-pressure stream of liquid and does not require a needle. The researchers said this method could make it “faster and easier to carry out in large numbers of people.”<\/p>\n TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/a><\/p>\n “This new class of universal vaccines are future-proofed,” Faust said. “They not only protect against many variants simultaneously, but potentially against related viruses that haven\u2019t yet emerged and spilt over to humans. If we can develop and clinically advance this new class of vaccines before a virus outbreak begins, millions of lives could be saved, lockdowns avoided and the economy preserved.”<\/p>\n A new vaccine has been proven safe and capable of triggering immune responses against coronavirus in a limited human trial. (iStock)<\/p>\n Some experts have raised broad concerns about using AI in medicine<\/a>, primarily when it comes to making clinical decisions, not developing vaccines. Certain groups of people may be underrepresented in the data AI relies on, resulting in biased outcomes, some said.<\/p>\n AI also sometimes produces erroneous information, called “hallucinations,” and determining who is liable for medical failings in such situations is a complex matter.<\/p>\n![\"Scientists](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/scientists_in_lab.jpeg\")
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