Researchers Discover Antibody that Protects Against All COVID-19 Variants
- Sep 17, 2024
Researchers from the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin have discovered an antibody that’s able to neutralize all known variants of COVID-19.
As part of a new study on hybrid immunity to the virus, the large, multi-institution research team led by UT discovered and isolated a broadly neutralizing plasma antibody, called SC27, from a single patient. Using technology developed over several years of research into antibody response, the team discerned the exact molecular sequence of the antibody, opening the possibility of manufacturing it on a larger global scale for future treatments.
During more than four years since the onset of COVID-19, the virus that causes it has rapidly evolved. Each new variant has displayed different characteristics, many of which made them resistant to established vaccines and other treatments.
The SC27 antibody works to neutralize COVID-19 by recognizing and blocking the virus’ “spike protein,” the part of the virus that infects individuals by anchoring to cells in the body. Because the SC27 antibody recognizes the different characteristics of spike proteins in the many COVID variants, it is able to protect individuals against all variants and mutations of it.
Fellow UT researchers, who were the first to decode the structure of the original spike protein, paving the way for vaccines and other treatments, verified SC27’s capabilities.
“One goal of this research, and vaccinology in general, is to work toward a universal vaccine that can generate antibodies and create an immune response with broad protection to a rapidly mutating virus,” said Will Voss, a recent Ph.D. graduate in cell and molecular biology in UT’s College of Natural Sciences, who co-led the study.
This discovery comes during another global COVID-19 spike. While the worst of pandemic has passed, COVID still lingers as a constant danger in people’s lives and requires the hard work of scientists and researchers to quell the ever-mutating virus.
Because the COVID-19 pandemic affected people and countries on a global scale, this research could be developed to protect the entire world against current and future COVID variants. The research team has filed a patent application for SC27 to begin creating a commercial cure.
