Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The vaccine against COVID, the basis of which is the protein obtained in the silkworm larva, should become highly effective and inexpensive, said the head of the project, professor at Kyushu University in Japan, Takahiro Kusakabe.

On the surface of the coronavirus there is the so-called spike protein S, it is grouped in three, and it is he who forms the very "spikes" on the surface of the virus, through which infection occurs.

“With the help of the silkworm, we are creating an artificial spike protein, which is extremely similar to the protein of a new type of coronavirus, but it does not contain a virus inside it, so it is harmless,” said the professor.

A baculovirus is introduced into the body of a silkworm, which infects only insects, but is harmless to humans, with the genetic information of the coronavirus embedded in it. A few days after that, a protein very similar to the S-spike protein of the coronavirus “grows” in the body of the silkworm.

“We are currently developing a vaccine of two types - an injection and an oral one. Vaccine for injection requires purification and safety testing. In any case, I think it will be as safe as the vaccine currently in use. As for oral intake, in Asian countries historically they use silkworm larvae for food, so there shouldn't be any problems,” the professor emphasized.

The scientist believes that his method will produce "a highly effective vaccine in larger quantities than conventional vaccines." In addition, its price will be within the limits of the influenza vaccine - several thousand yen (several tens of dollars). During this fiscal year, that is, until March 31, 2021, animal trials of the vaccine will take place.