Scientists at Boston, MIT and Harvard universities have identified new proteins from the coronavirus that could lead to more powerful vaccines, according to The Hill.

Experts believe that some of the newly discovered proteins are driven by T cells, which in turn attack infected cells.

Coronavirus vaccines currently in circulation attack B cells, which help fight infection by producing antibodies. The scientists who made this discovery hope to be able to attack the T cells, which the immune system sends throughout the body, in order to destroy the infected cells.

A team of experts in their paper, published in the journal Cell, states that they experimented with human cells, including those infected with the coronavirus. They were able to isolate and identify 23 proteins in the virus that were not previously known.

Initial estimates say 25 percent of them activate the immune system.

- It is extremely unusual that such a strong immune signature of the virus comes from the genetic order for which we were blind, said Shira Weingarten-Gabi, research leader.

The team of experts hopes that their work can help develop new vaccines against coronavirus that will mimic the response of our immune system to the virus.

Ideally, our immune system's response to infection activates B and T cells so that infected cells can be targeted while other immune cells produce antibodies that can bind to the pathogen.

"This is a startling reminder that curiosity-based research is based on discoveries that can transform the development of vaccines and therapies." concludes Weingarten-Gabi.