serimmune launches new immune response mapping service for covid-19
Serimmune and the Mapping of Antibody Epitopes
Serimmune, an innovative immune intelligence company, is dedicated to gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the connection between antibody epitopes – the specific regions on antigens that antibodies recognize and bind to – and the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Proprietary Technology for Antibody Mapping
The company’s unique technology, initially created at UC Santa Barbara, offers a novel and precise method for characterizing an individual’s complete antibody repertoire from a minimal blood sample.
This is achieved through bacterial peptide display, functioning as a screening process. It isolates plasmid DNA from bacteria bound by antibodies within the sample.
Subsequently, this DNA undergoes sequencing to pinpoint the epitopes. This provides valuable insights into prior antigen exposures and the corresponding immune responses.
Insights from Serimmune’s CEO
“This approach represents a remarkably multiplexed and highly specific technique for analyzing the epitopes recognized by antibodies in a given sample,” explained Noah Nasser, CEO of Serimmune. Nasser holds a molecular biology degree from UC San Diego and possesses extensive experience in the diagnostics sector.
New Application for COVID-19 Research
This week, Serimmune announced the release of a new application of its foundational technology. This application is designed to enhance the understanding of disease states and immune responses related to SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.
“We construct detailed antibody profiles and then correlate them, with approximately 12 amino acid precision, to the SARS-CoV-2 proteome,” Nasser stated. “We’ve observed a strong correlation between antibody expression and disease severity, enabling us to differentiate between mild, moderate, severe, and asymptomatic cases based on the antibodies present.”
Data Collection and Pattern Recognition
The efficacy of Serimmune’s core technology improves with each new patient data point collected. Identifying these patterns more quickly will not only benefit physicians and researchers in their understanding of SARS-CoV-2, but also contribute to the development of innovative diagnostics, therapies, and vaccines for a wide range of antigens.
Accessibility of Data
Serimmune’s launch of its new COVID-19 antibody epitope mapping service aims to make this data more readily available to clients. These include vaccine developers, governmental organizations, and academic research institutions interested in a deeper understanding of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2.
“Our focus was on identifying the specific information researchers needed and then standardizing the delivery of that information,” Nasser said. “We can now deliver these results within two days of receiving a sample.”
Longitudinal Study on COVID-19 Immunity
In addition to this new service, Serimmune is planning a long-term clinical study focused on immunity to SARS-CoV-2. Participants will utilize a convenient at-home collection kit to submit small blood samples.
These samples will then be analyzed using Serimmune’s core technology to create a personalized immunity map for each individual. “We will provide participants with a report detailing their personal immune landscape to COVID-19,” Nasser explained. “Our goal is to track changes in the immune response over time and assess the effects of repeated COVID-19 exposure.”
Distinguishing Between Exposure Sources
The technology’s precision now allows for the differentiation between antibodies resulting from natural infection with SARS-CoV-2 and those generated by vaccination, Nasser added.
Future Directions: Personalized Medicine
While the current primary focus of Serimmune remains on applications related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nasser indicated that the company intends to expand into personalized medicine. This could involve offering their mapping service directly to individuals.
“We believe this service holds significant value for individuals seeking to understand their immune status and antigen exposure history,” he said. Serimmune will continue to expand its database with additional patient samples in the meantime.
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