Abstract: The present invention relates to universal sarbecovirus vaccines that specifically express an interferon. This live universal sarbecovirus vaccine elicits mucosal immunity and heterotypic immunity against various sarbecoviruses, including SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, and its variants. Interferon directly encoded from the genome of the live universal sarbecovirus overrides the virus-induced “delayed type-I interferon”, resulting in enhancement of mucosal T cell responses. The present invention further relates to uses of the vaccines for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treating or preventing viral infections, and kits comprising the vaccines.

Abstract: The present application provides chimeric proteins comprising comprising a receptor binding domain (“RBD”) of a SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (“S protein”) fused to a booster enhancer domain (“BED”) and uses thereof as vaccine or vaccine booster compositions. Also provided are method of boostering SARS-CoV-2 vaccines by administering to a vaccinated individual an effective amount of the vaccine booster composition, wherein the vaccine booster composition comprises a spike protein or a fragment thereof, and optionally wherein the vaccine booster composition is administered intranasally.

Abstract: This invention provides vector systems based on the promoters of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNAs that can be used to express and deliver desired RNA molecules such as small hairpin RNAs in mammalian cells. Such small hairpin RNAs are useful for RNA interference.