Gyrolab Spin Blog: vaccine

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the need to 

generate serology data on the levels of IgM and IgG directed against the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 to help in identifying individuals with neutralizing antibodies and drive the development of therapeutics and vaccines. A number of plate-based immunoassay platforms are being employed for serology testing but there are often issues with high reagent and sample consumption, plus the limitations of laborious manual workflows and long turnaround times. Open platforms are needed that enable data to be rapidly generated using small amounts of reagent and sample, preferably over a broad analytical range to minimize the need for repeat analysis. This is now possible in an open automated platform that uses minimal amounts of precious reagent and sample. 

Serology assays that detect antibodies to

 SARS-CoV-2 in human serum are critical to delivering data that provides insight into immune responses, measures health impact, and supports vaccines and therapeutics R&D. Important factors to consider are the assay targets and the best platform to ensure reliable data can be generated efficiently and with a minimum of resources, including time and reagents.

Serology tests that detect antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in human serum are critical to gaining insight into immune responses, measuring the impact of the virus on public health, and to support the development of effective vaccines and therapeutics. This article series takes a brief snapshot of the highly dynamic situation regarding the needs for COVID-19 serology assays, how they are constructed, how they should perform, and how data can be efficiently generated using small amounts of reagents. We start with an overview.

Vaccine discovery and development

Vaccines have become key weapons in the fight against infectious disease and as immunotherapies for other conditions including certain cancers and Alzheimer’s disease. Immunoassays in vaccine development play a key role and meeting ever more pressing deadlines means that efficient and flexible platforms are at a premium, especially in times like these, with the COVID-19 pandemic pressing vaccine R&D to the limit. In this two-part series we will be looking at how immunoassays can contribute to vaccine R&D and production.

Vaccine bioprocess development and production

Only clean drinking water can match vaccination in its ability to save millions of lives every year. In the case of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the availability of a vaccine is considered a prerequisite for a return to normal life worldwide. But transforming antigens into robust vaccine products is a lengthy process. In the second article of this two-part series we will look at some examples of how immunoassays can play a key role in delivering reliable vaccine bioassay data to support efficient bioprocess development and production to ensure that vaccine production lots meet targets, time and time again.