COVID-19 Vaccines Overview

These flashcards cover essential terms and concepts related to COVID-19 vaccines as discussed in the lecture notes.

mRNA Vaccine

A type of vaccine that uses messenger RNA to instruct cells to produce a protein that triggers an immune response.

Adenovirus Vector

A virus that is modified to deliver genes into cells; used in some COVID-19 vaccines.

5' Cap

A modified guanine nucleotide added to the beginning of mRNA that enhances stability and translation efficiency.

Spike Protein

The protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 that allows the virus to enter human cells; targeted by COVID-19 vaccines.

Synthetic modified nucleotides

Artificially created nucleotides that enhance the stability of mRNA in vaccines.

Lipids

Fats that are used in vaccine formulations to encapsulate and deliver the mRNA into host cells.

Immunogenicity

The ability of a substance, such as a vaccine, to provoke an immune response.

HEK-293 Cells

Human embryonic kidney cells used in research and development, including in some vaccine production.

Controversy of Fetal Cell Lines

The ethical debate surrounding the use of fetal cell lines derived from aborted fetuses in vaccine development.

Adapted Plasmid

A plasmid modified to include specific sequences, such as those coding for the spike protein in adenovirus vaccines.