SARS-CoV-2

Serosurveys to understand background immunity in the population to SARS-CoV-2

The Vaccine Research Group is conducting a serosurveillance study to assess antibody titers to coronaviruses in the U.S. population before the recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus that causes COVID-19). This study will enable us to measure population immunity to standard coronaviruses and the level of cross reactivity with SARS-CoV-2. This study will also assist us in understanding background immunity before the outbreak. The results can also be used to inform ongoing responses to the current SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.

Use of a technology pathway developed to identify immunologically relevant SARS-CoV-2 pathogen-derived peptides that can be used for vaccine development as well as diagnostic kits

The Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group has developed a highly sensitive mass spectrometry-based approach to identifying pathogen-derived epitopes that are processed by antigen-presenting cells and presented to T cells. Each identified peptide is then evaluated to determine whether or not it is recognized by the immune system and contributes to immune protection. The results from these studies will assist in the development of peptide- and subunit-based vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 and may also form the basis for diagnostic kits and platforms.

See publications by Mayo Clinic authors related to SARS-CoV-2.

Learn about diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.