Discussing antibody tests and when to expect a positive result! When infected naturally with SARS-CoV-2, your body is exposed to all the viral proteins and will generally make antibodies against the two most immunogenic proteins – the Spike (S) protein and the Nucleocapsid (N) protein. In this case, any serology (antibody) test designed toContinue reading “Ab Tests X Vaccines”
Category Archives: COVID-19
J&J COVID-19 Vaccine
The FDA meets later this week to review the safety and efficacy of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine. If approved for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) it will be the 3rd distributed vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 in the U.S . I am so excited to share this collaborative post with Dr. Jesse O’Shea, MD (@jesseosheamd).Continue reading “J&J COVID-19 Vaccine”
Half a Million
Today the United States will hit 500,000 deaths due to COVID-19. It’s a sobering number. And this number isn’t including those we have lost due to the mental toll the pandemic has taken. I send love to everyone who has lost a friend or family member this year. As a scientist who studies viruses andContinue reading “Half a Million”
501Y.V2
Today we’re talking about variant 501Y.V2, also known as B.1.351, also known as the variant that was originally identified in South Africa! Another variant that has concerned the world as it makes it way from country to country. Why? Because it has key mutations in the spike protein receptor binding domain that could have aContinue reading “501Y.V2”
How do the Moderna and Pfizer mRNA-based vaccines work?
Only fair I make a post about our two leading mRNA-based COVID vaccines despite joining a little late to the game. Although, these two companies did just publish their Phase III data in the NEJM just this week so I’m going to say I’m right on time 👍🏼 In the coming weeks/months more of theContinue reading “How do the Moderna and Pfizer mRNA-based vaccines work?”
How does the Oxford/AstraZeneca Vaccine Work?
Lots of talk surrounding the recent EUA approval of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID vaccine in the UK! Phase III trials are still underway in the US. ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 delivers the DNA sequence encoding the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein inside an Adenovirus capsid that has been stripped of its ability to replicate. Study data from Brazil/South Africa/UK showsContinue reading “How does the Oxford/AstraZeneca Vaccine Work?”