Title: Multi-epitope vaccine design: a promising in silico strategy to combat the threat of emerging viruses like Zwiesel bat banyangvirus

Authors: Md. Amzad Hossain; Forsan Amin; Md. Rakibul Islam

Addresses: Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Jagannath University, Dhaka – 1100, Bangladesh ' Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Jagannath University, Dhaka – 1100, Bangladesh ' Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka – 1000, Bangladesh

Abstract: The emerging bat virus Zwiesel bat banyangvirus was recently discovered. This virus family causes severe clinical symptoms and many deaths. Preventive measures are needed since this virus has spread to almost all continents. Current antiviral treatments cannot alleviate banyangvirus's clinical complexities, so this study aims to develop a multi-epitope vaccine using ZbbV's nucleocapsid sequence and its conserved regions with other family members. The 329-amino-acid multi-epitope vaccine includes B-, TH-, and TC-cell epitopes linked by flexible linkers. The vaccine produces stable mRNA, is non-allergenic, non-toxic, and immunogenic. Temperature resistance, flexibility, mammalian physiological suitability, and humoral and cellular immune elicitation are its structural strengths. High binding energy binds TLR4 and MHC to the vaccine. The vaccine's flexibility and stability were assessed by molecular dynamic simulation. An enhanced in silico cloning method in a constitutively expressing vector could help purifying the vaccine. This research is essential to combat the imminent Zwiesel bat banyangvirus threat.

Keywords: Zwiesel bat banyangvirus; ZbbV; multi-epitope vaccine; immunoinformatics; vaccine design; emerging virus.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBRA.2025.150106

International Journal of Bioinformatics Research and Applications, 2025 Vol.21 No.6, pp.567 - 598

Received: 18 Apr 2024
Accepted: 01 Aug 2024

Published online: 01 Dec 2025 *

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