1 ---- RDTs, vaccination, antivirals and genome sequencing

Emerging applications of biomedical science Rapid Diagnosis Tests (RDTs) Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for pandemic prevention and control have been developed and implemented in large part. Thanks to the contributions of biomedical science, scientists are working to develop new RDTs for the detection of emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. They are also developing RDTs that are more accurate, sensitive, and specific than existing tests. For example, rapid diagnostic tests called COVID19 antigen tests identify specific proteins from the COVID-19-causing SARS-CoV-2 virus. Since the beginning of the pandemic, several fresh COVID-19 antigen tests have been created, including the Sofia SARS Antigen Fluorescent Immunoassay (FIA) and BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card. The gene editing technique is used by Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-based RDTs to find viral DNA or ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequences in samples. These tests can be extremely sensitive and specific [5]. Examples of CRISPR-based RDTs for COVID-19 include the Sherlock CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 Kit from Sherlock Biosciences and the SARS-CoV-2 DETECTR assay from Mammoth Biosciences. To find a specific pathogen or antibody, fluorescent dyes are used in fluorescence-based RDTs. These examinations may be quite sensitive and precise. The LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test and the Gene Xpert Flu/RSV XC are two examples of RDTs that use fluorescence as an indicator. Isothermal amplification is when RDTs amplify specific RNA or DNA sequences to detect the presence of a pathogen. The use of expensive equipment is not necessary because these tests can be carried out at a constant temperature. The RT-LAMP COVID-19 Kit and the ID NOW COVID-19 test are two examples of isothermal amplification RDTs. Multiplexed RDTs can detect multiple pathogens or antibodies in a single test. These tests can be highly efficient and useful for surveillance and mass testing. Examples of multiplexed RDTs include the BioFire Filmarray Respiratory Panel 2.1 and the ePlex Respiratory Pathogen Panel [6]. Vaccines Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines, a recent advancement in vaccine technology, have been used to combat COVID-19. These vaccines function by instructing cells to produce a tiny amount of harmless viral genetic material that stimulates an immune response. The mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer have the ability of COVID-19 vaccines to prevent COVID-19 infections, which has been demonstrated to be very high. Viral vector vaccines deliver the genetic material from the pathogen to the body's cells using a non-lethal virus [7]. Small particles are used in nanoparticle-based immunizations to deliver the vaccine's active components to the body's cells. Since the shape of the virus is mimicked by these particles, the immune system is better able to identify and combat the virus. The Novavax and CureVac vaccines, among others, are nanoparticle-based COVID-19 vaccines. Personalized vaccines are a new area of research that could revolutionize vaccine development. Because these vaccines are made specifically for each individual, they may be more effective and cause fewer side effects. While personalized vaccines are still in the early stages of development, they could be an important tool in the fight against pandemics in the future. To boost the immune response, adjuvants are chemicals that are added to vaccines. They function by encouraging immune system cells to more readily identify and react to the vaccine. Flu vaccines frequently contain adjuvants, and some COVID19 vaccines do as well. Antiviral Therapies Biomedical science has also contributed to the development of antiviral therapies for pandemic prevention and control. They use small-molecule drugs, monoclonal antibodies, RNA-based therapies, CRISPR-based therapies, and broad-spectrum antivirals. Small-molecule drugs are traditional pharmaceuticals that work by binding to specific viral proteins and preventing the virus from replicating. Some examples of small-molecule drugs include remdesivir, which is used to treat COVID-19, and Tamiflu, which is used to treat the flu. Laboratory-produced proteins called monoclonal antibodies imitate the immune system's capacity to combat infections. These treatments function by neutralizing the virus by concentrating on particular viral proteins [8]. The monoclonal antibody cocktail from Regeneron is one of the monoclonal antibody treatments that have been approved for use in COVID-19 emergencies. Targeting the virus' genetic material and limiting its replication are the principles behind RNA-based treatments. Lipid nanoparticles or other delivery systems can be used to deliver these treatments directly to the cells. For the treatment of COVID-19, some RNAbased treatments have produced encouraging outcomes in preliminary clinical trials [9]. The CRISPR-Cas systems, which are gene-editing tools, have recently been adapted for use in antiviral therapies. The CRISPR-based therapies work by targeting specific viral genes and disrupting their function, which can prevent the virus from replicating. While still in the early stages of development, CRISPR-based therapies could offer a new approach to antiviral therapy. Broad-spectrum antivirals are treatments that work well against a variety of viruses. These treatments function by focusing on conserved viral proteins that are present in all viruses. Ribavirin, which is used to treat hepatitis C, and favipiravir, which is used to treat influenza, are two examples of broad-spectrum antivirals [10]. Genome Sequencing Genome sequencing, which enables researchers to trace the spread of viruses and find novel varieties, has emerged as a crucial tool in pandemic prevention and management. Public health officials can identify and isolate infected people to stop the virus from spreading by using genome sequencing to track how a virus spreads from person to person. The genetic makeup of a virus can be determined through genome sequencing, which can also be used to create vaccinations that target particular proteins or genomic areas. This method was employed in the creation of COVID-19 vaccines, which focus on the virus' spike protein. The genetic makeup of a virus can be determined through genome sequencing, which can also be used to create vaccinations that target particular proteins or genomic areas [11]. The identification of viruses in animals that could be dangerous to human health is another purpose for genome sequencing. This "One Health" strategy can lessen the possibility of pandemics in the future by preventing the spread of zoonotic illnesses. Overall, new uses for genome sequencing in pandemic prevention and control have transformed our knowledge of viral infections and made it possible for researchers to create more potent treatments and vaccines. Genome sequencing is likely to become an even more potent weapon in the fight against pandemics as technology advances [12]. Pandemic prevention and control are rapidly improving thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), which enables researchers to examine massive amounts of data and forecast the spread of viruses. Here are some recently developed biomedical applications of artificial intelligence for pandemic control and prevention.