COVID-19

Antibodies are an integral part of the body’s immune response to infections and studying how they respond to different viruses is essential in vaccine development. Research in this area has taken on even greater urgency in light of the pandemic.

This includes the research of Dr Doores, who prior to the pandemic focused on understanding how our antibodies respond to lots of different emerging viruses, including HIV.

Within a matter of weeks, Dr Doores refocussed her work to study how our antibodies respond to COVID-19 infection, and more recently COVID-19 vaccination. Her team quickly measured activity of antibodies in the blood of those suffering from COVID-19, tracked the presence of antibodies in the first 10 months following infection, and monitored how new variants impacted the antibody response.

On being awarded the prize, Dr Doores said: “In collaboration with researchers around the country, my research has helped to evaluate and establish the use of lateral flow antibody testing, to help us understand severe COVID-19 disease, and monitor how people with pre-existing conditions like cancer and psoriasis respond to the vaccine.

“Using this prize funding, I will set up two new research techniques in the lab to try and identify antibodies and vaccines that could give broad protection against multiple viruses. Not only is this important in COVID-19, but also in ensuring we are prepared for the next global pandemic – if and when it arises.”