All About Antibodies

We had hoped that by now, we would have all resumed our normal lives and be back to doing what we do. Alas, as of this week, the cases of COVID-19 is on the rise. I know that we are all being inundated with information about the different types of tests and the different types of vaccines in the works and how PPE is being sterilized for reuse and it is hard to take it all in. As we have several companies here at the ACC Bioscience Incubator that are working on some of these things, I’d like to take a deeper dive into antibodies. I think people have a vague understanding of antibodies, but with all the discussion these day about them, I share here some useful info to help it all make a bit more sense.

Most people know that antibodies are part of your immune system and that they are responsible for finding and destroying pathogens and foreign material from your body. But I invite you to tune into just one lesson from Armando Hasudungan. I think you’ll be surprised at how well he explains it and how much you’ll enjoy learning about them.

COVID test? Antibody test? What is the difference and why should you get one over the other? Here is a great animation that explains what an antibody test is looking for and what you can learn…and not learn…from having one.

When news first broke about this new novel Coronavirus, it was reported to affect mostly older adults. It was understood to be a respiratory virus and had only severe implications for those with with respiratory problems and other comorbidities. However, as we have watched the progression of this pandemic, there has been a diverse array of infection phenotypes, including severe blood clots and organ failure. Here, Dr. Akiko Iwasaki explains the immune response known as a cytokine storm that lends some insight into these unexpected cases.

Our very own Monica Berrondo, founder of member company Macromoltek, discuss all things antibodies in Episode #2 of ABI’s podcast, ‘Science in the Mall, Y’all’.

Nancy Lyon
Interim Director

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