Project 466664

During the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers and clinicians have sought to understand why people experience drastic differences in symptom severity when infected with SARS-CoV-2.Antibodies produced by the immune system in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination have been an area of interest because of their potential to prevent infection. However, the quantity and types of antibodies that are indicative of protection from severe COVID-19 and long-term immunity are currently unknown. Similarly, certain biological markers (biomarkers) circulating in blood (such as those that indicate organ function) have been found to vary greatly between people infected from SARS-CoV-2. These biomarkers have been studied as indicators of disease severity, but their relationship with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies has not been defined. The proposed research project aims to monitor and compare how the SARS-CoV-2 antibody response changes over time following infection or vaccination, and to assess how those changes relate to COVID-19 severity and patient outcomes. Additionally, the project seeks to identify relationships between the SARS-CoV-2 antibody response and biomarkers in the blood that may predict COVID-19 severity.The significance of this study is that differences in the SARS-CoV-2 antibody response between infected or vaccinated individuals may allow us to identify reasons for why some individuals are asymptomatic while others develop more severe symptoms. Additionally, understanding how the antibody response changes over time will allow us to identify antibody characteristics which result in long-term protection. Consequently, the ability to determine specific and measurable predictors of severe disease may guide and improve treatment for those suffering from COVID-19.