Neutralizing antibodies against coronaviruses

Abstract

Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 are being used as therapeutics against COVID-19. The Bjorkman laboratory is investigating the mechanisms of virus neutralization by human antibodies that bind the SARSCoV- 2 spike protein. Using structural techniques, including single-particle cryoelectron microscopy and X-ray crystallography, the laboratory has solved spike trimer-antibody structures that allow classifying antibodies with respect to spike recognition and neutralization. They are also designing and testing mosaic nanoparticles that induce broadly cross-reactive antibodies with the goal of creating a pan-coronavirus vaccine that could protect against SARS-CoV-2 and future coronaviruses with the potential to spill over into humans.