Covid-19 Antibodies

By Christie Peng and Shalini Ballur

Christopher Barnes, a researcher at Caltech, studies immune cells and antibodies along with how they work against a virus. Because of the recent Covid-19 pandemic, Barnes and his team are actively studying the antibodies and how they interact with spike proteins located on the virus. Humans make many kinds of antibodies when fighting off a virus. Covid-19 is no different, so what Barnes is doing is that he is collaborating at Rockefeller University in New York to find the antibody that is most effective at fighting the virus.

The researchers do this by collecting blood samples from survivors of the virus and examining which antibody is the best at keeping the body safe. Spike proteins are located on the virus and are used to infect human cells so that the virus can replicate. Antibodies, on the other hand, block the S proteins which means the virus cannot infect other cells. Antibodies have the ability to attach anywhere on the S protein. This is an epitope; a part of a piece of antigen where the antibody binds to it. In many patients, the antibody is seen attaching to a particular region called the receptor binding domain. This domain has two conformations: “up” and “down.”

Barnes found an effective antibody that attaches to the S protein’s receptor binding domain, blocking the spike protein as well as neutralizing the virus (the virus becomes dysfunctional). This antibody attaches to the “up” conformation. Barnes and his team were the first ones to capture a high resolution image of the antibody binding to this conformation. This is important, because creating a vaccine requires knowing which antibodies are effective and which sites on the S proteins are prone to becoming blocked by antibodies.

Barnes’s discovery is groundbreaking, but it is significant for another reason. The death of George Floyd occurred on May 25th, reminding Barnes of his own struggles in the world of academia. The issue of racism was on the minds of Barnes and his colleagues, adding onto the urgency caused by the pandemic. He is a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and recounted his experience about being the only African American on university campus. Barnes was conflicted about the challenges posed to his race, including the publication of his work.

After George Floyd’s death, a virtual panel hosted by the Caltech Center for Inclusion and Diversity highlighted various experiences shared by students, staff members, and faculty. Barnes and his mentor Clemons were among the speakers, and they were enthusiastic to witness further inclusion of all races. A Caltech memo stated, "We strive to become an example of how a diverse and inclusive community, committed to equity, permits individuals to thrive in fulfilling the Institute's mission of forefront research and education."

Citations

Dajose, Lori. “Images of Antibodies as They Neutralize the COVID-19 Virus.” California Institute of Technology, 29 July 2020, www.caltech.edu/about/news/images-antibodies-they-neutralize-covid-19-virus.

Christopher Barnes, PhD. (n.d.). Retrieved August 08, 2020, from https://www.hhmi.org/es/node/168957