Scientists at the Cancer Research Center in the American city of Seattle have found an antibody capable of fighting various coronaviruses, including the SARS-CoV2 that caused the pandemic. The results of the study were published in the journal Nature.
Researchers studied 12 antibodies in people who have had different forms of coronavirus. A list of thousands of mutations in the binding domains of various variants of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses belonging to the sarbecovirus group was compiled. As a result, the S2H97 antibody was discovered, which can neutralize the effect of sarbecoviruses in living cells by attaching to their binding domains. Because of its versatility, experts called it “super-body”.
“This is the coolest antibody we’ve studied,” said study co-author Tyler Starr.
It is noted that the remaining 11 antibodies can also be used to fight viruses. But their efficiency is lower compared to S2H97. Scientists do not yet know how well the antibody copes with new strains, but they are confident that this discovery will make it possible to advance in the fight against coronavirus mutations.
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