Scientists led by The University of Texas at Austin have identified an antibody, SC27, that can neutralize all known variants of COVID-19. This discovery is a significant step towards developing treatments and vaccines capable of providing broad protection against the continuously mutating virus.
A groundbreaking discovery, published in Cell Reports Medicine, promises to bring hope to the ongoing battle against COVID-19. Researchers led by The University of Texas at Austin have identified an antibody, SC27, that can neutralize all known variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as some related coronaviruses that affect animals.
The researchers embarked on an extensive study exploring hybrid immunity to the virus. They managed to discover and isolate SC27 from a single patient. Using advanced technology developed over several years, the team determined the exact molecular sequence of the antibody, raising the possibility of manufacturing it on a large scale for potential treatments.
“The discovery of SC27, and other antibodies like it in the future, will help us better protect the population against current and future COVID variants,” co-lead author Jason Lavinder, a research assistant professor in the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering at UT Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering, said in a news release.
Since the advent of COVID-19 in 2020, the virus has evolved into various new variants, each with unique attributes that often render existing vaccines and treatments less effective. Traditional protective antibodies work by targeting the virus’ spike protein, thus blocking its ability to attach to cells and cause infection.
SC27 stands out by recognizing and neutralizing the spike proteins across various COVID-19 variants. This capability has been verified by UT researchers, who were pioneers in decoding the structure of the original spike protein.
The research was powered by a sophisticated technology named Ig-Seq, which combines single-cell DNA sequencing and proteomics to provide a detailed view of the antibody response following infection and vaccination.
“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,” added co-lead author Will Voss, a former doctoral student in cell and molecular biology at UT’s College of Natural Sciences.
Moreover, the researchers highlighted that hybrid immunity — a combination of natural infection and vaccination — offers better antibody-based protection against COVID-19 compared to either method alone.
This significant finding comes amid another summer surge in COVID-19 cases, indicating that while the height of the pandemic might be behind us, ongoing efforts to innovate and improve treatments remain crucial.
The team has filed a patent application for SC27.
In an era where COVID-19 continues to evolve, the discovery of SC27 represents a monumental stride towards more adaptive and long-lasting solutions against the virus. The implications of such a discovery could be profound, setting the stage for the development of universal vaccines capable of providing broad-spectrum protection against a rapidly mutating pathogen.