How long do anti- SARS-CoV-2 antibodies last? Do we all produce the same amount of antibodies after the infection? If not, why? To answer these questions, we analysed 2001 healthcare workers from three hospitals in London, between the first and the second waves of the pandemic in the United Kingdom. These hospitals are in East London,Continue reading “How long do anti- SARS-CoV-2 antibodies last?”
Tag Archives: Immunity
Mutations, variants and quasispecies: the microevolution of viruses
Why do viruses mutate? Actually, the question we should ask is: how do viruses mutate? Viruses are not consciously thinking beings that pursue a strategy, they do not decide to mutate or how to mutate, and when this happens, it is the result of the mutation to determine whether it will persist in time, andContinue reading “Mutations, variants and quasispecies: the microevolution of viruses”
The Oxford-Astra Zeneca vaccine: a viral vector-based vaccine
Three different vaccines have been authorised for emergency use in the United Kingdom to control the pandemic: two of them are mRNA vaccines, and one is based on a viral vector. The latter, called AZD1222, has been developed by Oxford University in collaboration with the biopharma company Astra Zeneca. AZD1222 is based in a chimpanzeeContinue reading “The Oxford-Astra Zeneca vaccine: a viral vector-based vaccine”
The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines: promising results in less than one year since the beginning of the pandemic
Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been hoping for a vaccine to defeat the virus and get back to “normality”, a more lighthearted daily life that we had to put aside. On March 16th, a few days after the WHO had declared the pandemic, the biotech company Moderna announced the beginning of phaseContinue reading “The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines: promising results in less than one year since the beginning of the pandemic”
Vaccines, antibodies and herd immunity (in a nutshell)
Vaccines make us immune to viruses and bacteria stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies. They have significantly contributed to reducing infant mortality and improving the health of the population. Vaccination was first introduced by Jenner in 1976. Vaccines protect not only the individual but also the entire community.
Virus&Co. 