Immune Science

Understanding immunity against SARS-CoV-2

Michael Grant, Memorial Universty of Newfoundland

This study systematically assesses the strength, specificity, nature, and durability of antibody and cellular immune responses generated against SARS-CoV-2 in relation to severity of infection — in previously infected individuals.
Research summary Results

Predicting sustained SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses after COVID-19 infection

Daniel Kaufmann and Andrés Finzi, Centre hospitalier de l’Universite de Montreal

This study focuses on early clinical and immunological features of COVID-19 that can predict the emergence of protective and durable immune responses.
Research summary Results

COVID-19 infection, antibody responses, and immunity in at-risk individuals

Marc-André Langlois, University of Ottawa

Researchers will follow 500 healthy but at-risk individuals, and 500 individuals who have previously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 or have received a vaccine to determine how much protection antibodies provide against repeat exposure to the virus and how long this protection, as well as the immunity provided by vaccines, will last.
Research summary Results

Determining long-term immune protection in COVID-19 patients

Ishac Nazy, McMaster University

This study aims to identify how the immune system responds to SARS-CoV-2 by examining different elements of the immune response, including antibodies and T cells that attack the virus, as well as immune memory B and T cells responsible for long-term protection from the virus.
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Can COVID-19 and maternal antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 be transmitted through human milk?

Deborah O’Connor and Sharon Unger, Sinai Health System / University of Toronto

This study aims to determine the SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility in human milk, measure associated antibodies, and examine the impact of thermal pasteurization on SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.
Research summary Results

Towards a better understanding of immunity to SARS-CoV-2

Tania Watts and Mario Ostrowski, University of Toronto

The study aims to understand the immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 and how these responses might explain a good or a bad outcome. This information will be important for designing vaccines, monitoring individuals for the correct immune responses, and evaluating how people who have had COVID-19 will respond to vaccines.
Research summary Results

Addressing gaps in our understanding of the mucosal immune response to SARS-CoV-2: Implications for transmission

Jennifer Gommerman, University of Toronto

This lab has detected antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in the saliva of COVID-19 patients. They are taking a combined approach, using an animal model and following participants for a year, to produce new information on the mucosal immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and whether it can contribute to the reduction in spread of the virus.
Research summary Results

A cell-based assay to measure immune competence in SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination

Sacha De Serres, Université Laval

This research team, which developed a test to help predict which transplant recipients would most likely suffer from severe infections, will assess the capacity of this test to help predict who, in the general population, will suffer severe COVID-19. They will also study whether it can predict how well immunosuppressed patients respond to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
Research summary Results

Optimization of Immunological Testing Studies

CBS/Héma-Québec Cross-Validation of SARS-CoV-2 Serological Assays

Jesse Papenburg and Matthew P. Cheng, McGill University

This study is comparing the results obtained from multiple SARS-CoV-2 serology tests with results obtained from Health Canada approved SARS-CoV-2 serology tests. The objective is to standardize interpretation of test results across Canada and help determine which of these new assays can be more widely used.
Research summary

Rational design and standardization of COVID-19 antibody tests

Andrei Drabovich, University of Alberta

The study targets the research area of sero-surveillance testing for COVID-19 infection, with the goal of improving serology testing through the rational design and standardization of assays.
Research summary Results

A rapid testing device for SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies

Dustin Little, Ryerson University

This project’s goal is to develop a fast and cost-effective method to detect neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) for SARS-CoV-2, with reduced biosafety requirements for immediate distribution.
Research summary

When antibodies don’t protect you against a virus

Ryan Troyer, University of Western Ontario

The goal of this study is to develop a test that can screen human serum to detect antibodies that enhance SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Research summary Results

See our other funded research studies

See our other funded research studies