"A research team led by Dr. Jianrong Li of Ohio State University created and tested a series of measles-based vaccine candidates. They developed the vaccines by inserting genes for different forms of the coronavirus spike protein into the measles vaccine genome. SARS-CoV-2 uses its spike protein to enter and infect cells. The modified measles virus acts as a vehicle to carry the gene for the spike protein into the body. This gene instructs cells in the body to produce the coronavirus spike protein, prompting the immune system to produce antibodies that recognize the protein. This trains the immune system to neutralize the virus if it’s encountered. Experiments showed that the new vaccine, called rMeV-preS, produced levels of neutralizing antibodies in rodents higher than those found in recovered COVID-19 patients.
"We don't yet know how long the mRNA vaccines will protect or how much they will cost. In the meantime, an alternative vaccine that should protect for a long time, is easy to manufacture, and cheap seems like a good idea,” says co-author Dr. Stefan Niewiesk of Ohio State University."
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/measles-vaccine-used-base-experimental-covid-vaccine
Research Team Leader, Dr. Jianrong Li:
"Originally from Wenzhou, China, I obtained my D.V.M. and Ph.D. in Molecular Virology and Immunology from Zhejiang University. In 2002."
https://li.vet.ohio-state.edu/people/dr-jianrong-li