IN SILICO DESIGN OF B-CELL EPITOPE BASED PEPTIDE VACCINE FOR ZIKA VIRUS

Zika virus infection attracted the attention of the medical community since it is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito and humans act as hosts. The disease affects fetal development and causes severe neurodevelopmental disorders, such as GBS (Guillain-Barre Syndrome), and CZS (Congenital Zika Syndrome) in pregnant women, including congenital microcephaly, and fetal death. Therefore, a vaccine is needed for prevention. Epitope-based peptide vaccines have advantages in terms of both selectivity and safety. The use of computational methods is a cost-efficient way of developing vaccines. This research aims to look at conserved areas and see the phylogenetic tree of the zika virus E protein sequences obtained from various countries, to see the most immunogenic epitope notifications of the ZIKV E protein sequence using the in-silico method, to see the potential for the most immunogenic epitopes of protein sequences. Zika virus as a vaccine candidate through the use of in silico. This study was using a descriptive observational study using in-silico tools for Zika virus peptide vaccine candidates. Some software and websites that were used are MEGA-X, IEDB, VaxiJen 2.0, BLASTp NCBI. From the 41 sequences that have been collected, 3 epitope candidates had antigenic properties and also passed the similarity test so the potential to develop a peptide vaccine; SLGLDCE, ETDENRAKVEVTPNSPRAEATLG, and AHAKRQ.  Keywords: Vaccine, Peptide, Epitope, Zika Virus, In Silico