Serum SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization Activity

The U.S. government has tasked America's universities to develop assays that detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the blood. These tests can define the scope of a population's exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus, and also identify individuals who may have protective immunity against re-infection. Those with anti-viral antibodies can also donate potentially protective convalescent plasma/serum.

“To fully interpret the results of antibody tests, we need a better understanding of whether the antibodies induced by COVID-19 will confer immune protection against subsequent infection with SARS-CoV-2,” said Tyler Bold, MD, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, who is leading this study. “We will use our existing expertise working with BSL3 pathogens to develop a SARS-CoV-2 live viral neutralization assay, that can be used to quantitatively test sera for anti-viral neutralization activity.”

This project is supported by the UMN Campus Public Health Officer's CO:VID (Collaborative Outcomes: Visionary Innovation & Discovery) grants program, which support University of Minnesota faculty to catalyze and energize small-scale research projects designed to address and mitigate the COVID-19 virus and its associated risks.