The University of Queensland (UQ) is confident it can develop a vaccine for the potentially deadly coronavirus in as few as 16 weeks as four people in NSW and two people in Brisbane are monitored for the virus.

Key points: The researchers believe their "molecular clamp" technology can be adapted to the virus

The researchers believe their "molecular clamp" technology can be adapted to the virus It's one of three projects around the world that have been funded to develop a vaccine

It's one of three projects around the world that have been funded to develop a vaccine The aim is to create the vaccine in just four months

Researchers from the university have been funded by an international organisation to use new rapid medical development technology to help create a vaccine for the new virus strain.

The virus, that's spread from the Chinese city of Wuhan, has infected nearly 830 people and killed at least 25.

Dr Daniel Watterson, a senior research fellow at UQ, said the rush was on to develop a subunit-based vaccine.

"We've built this technology specifically for this type of response, so we're quite confident we can actually target this type of pathogen," Dr Watterson said.

The aim is to create a vaccine in just four months, with delivery of the vaccine then dependent on international agencies.

"We're really under the pump now to see whether we can deliver, but we've already begun the initial stages which involves getting the DNA sequence and putting it into cells to produce the protein," he said.

UQ lead researcher Dr Keith Chappell has at times worked through the night since the emergency call-to-arms came through.

He said it was a "high pressured" situation.

"There is a lot of weight on us and we have 20 people in our team," Dr Chappell said.

Queensland researchers are one of three teams around the world working on a coronavirus vaccine. ( ABC News: Curtis Rodda )

He said they would potentially produce millions of injectable vaccines within a year.

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI) engaged UQ to work on a vaccine, along with other international partners.

CEPI is one year in to a three-year partnership with the university.

UQ said it has patented what is known as a "molecular clamp".

It said the system uses a "backbone" that can be rapidly adapted for use against different pathogens — as needed — by inserting new genetic or protein sequences.

"It's basically a portion of a gene that we can attach to the viral proteins which makes them even more stable," he said.

More people being tested

NSW Health has confirmed it is investigating four possible cases of coronavirus in that state.

It said it would not be disclosing the hospital locations of patients under investigation for privacy reasons.

It is unknown if the patients were on a flight that arrived in Sydney yesterday from the Chinese city of Wuhan.

Meanwhile, Queensland chief medical officer Dr Jeannette Young said two more people were being tested for potential infection in that state.

"We've already tested four individuals who were suspect cases — all four came back negative," she said.

"We've got another two suspects at the moment, that we're assessing, who may need testing."

Dr Young said anyone who felt unwell after travelling anywhere in China should see their doctor.

"We're testing people who've been in Wuhan within 14 days of developing their illness," she said.

Vaccine to mimic the virus' 'crown structure'

Dr Watterson said the vaccine would mimic the surface protein of the virus and trick the body into creating a defence against the real virus.

"The molecular clamp is actually derived for another virus," he said.

"The first thing we need to have in order to make a molecular clamp vaccine is the sequence of the pathogen.

"That sequence became available about a week ago when it was released from Chinese researchers."

Remarkably the researchers don't need the actual virus in order to mimic it and create the vaccine.

The virus, that's spread from the Chinese city of Wuhan, has infected nearly 650 people. ( Reuters )

"All we need is the information. From there we're able to take that sequence and make a small portion of the virus — so it's not infectious," he said.

The piece of the virus they plan to recreate is what gives the virus its name.

"It's actually called the spike protein that's on the surface of coronaviruses," he said.

It's those spikes which create a crown-like structure: hence the name "corona" or "crown" virus.

Who is paying?

The technology was patented by UQ and funded by CEPI, which is providing extra funding to tackle this specific virus.

"We've been awarded additional funding from CEPI along with two other groups internationally," Dr Watterson said.

"At this stage we don't have a dollar figure but basically CEPI is behind us 100 per cent and they'll be willing to do whatever is necessary."

CEPI was founded by Norway and India and is funded by a number of countries and organisations including Australia and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.