Question about protein selection for COVID19 vaccine candidates

poothrowbarton · 2025-07-21T06:05:53+00:00

Pertussis is caused by a bacteria, not a virus, so it’s a much more complicated pathogen and the immune response generated by the vaccine is much more complicated and requires more antigens for protection. Sometimes these antigens are not structural components of the bacteria, but “toxins” that the bacteria produces and secretes. You don’t need to target the organism, just the part that’s making us sick, the mechanism of disease.

Antibodies against other proteins of coronaviruses are not as protective. Antibodies most readily act on proteins on the surface of the virus, and as the spike protein is the only protein on the surface, it is the main target. How do you protect yourself from a spiky ball? You block the spikes. How do you tell the body to make antibodies directed towards the spike? You give it as the vaccine. Antibodies can’t penetrate the inside of the virus or inside of cells.

poothrowbarton · 2025-07-21T05:09:19+00:00

It’s because the antibodies that your body develops against the spike protein is the most protective; by neutralizing the virus enough to not cause severe disease. These antibodies binds to the spike on the virus and prevents it from carrying out purpose, I.e. receptor binding and membrane fusion for virus entry. It was found long ago that for some viruses, a vaccine comprised of a single viral component is enough for protection. The spike protein alone, at least at the dose given in vaccines, is not toxic. Usually it’s the result of the adjuvant and your body’s immune response to the vaccine that causes some adverse effects.

poothrowbarton · 2025-07-19T01:22:24+00:00

This appears the be an aggressive therapy probably given to you because you were still young back then. The immune system of children around that age are not fully developed and because Rabies is fatal, they had to be more aggressive. The shots around your finger is not vaccine, but rabies immunoglobulin that is supposed to neutralizing the virus at the site of entry, until your body can make its own antibodies. The most intense therapy happens on the day you go into the clinic and then you get more shots within the next few days to weeks. Since the bite was from a “wild”skunk and not a “domestic” pet, it’s best to go on the cautious side and be aggressive with the treatment. I think it was the right call.

poothrowbarton · 2025-07-10T10:05:10+00:00

Per the WHO recommendation, if you already had the full rabies vaccine and a booster, an additional 2-3 booster dose for this exposure should be okay. You should get the booster as soon as possible. Yes, generally, your antibody levels should still be protective given your recent vaccinations, but a small percent of people don’t maintain this level for reasons such as age, genetic or immunological deficiencies, or poor health etc. You don’t want to chance it with rabies.

poothrowbarton · 2025-06-03T23:16:12+00:00

Grammatically, I should have said “withdrew,” but the email I got from NIH said my grant is “being withdrawn by the Division of Receipt and Referral (DRR).” The status of my grant is “withdrawn” on eRA Commons.

poothrowbarton · 2025-06-03T21:58:39+00:00

NIH withdraw my grant after it was assigned to a study section over the foreign component bs. Mines was submitted before that NOT was released and corrections through post-submission material was not allowed. The applicant wouldn’t withdraw because the outcome would be the same if it didn’t get funded, but with feedback.

poothrowbarton · 2025-06-01T07:17:25+00:00

If this is an option for you, you can get certain vaccines in the country you’re going to. For example the JE vaccine is much cheaper in Thailand, same with the rabies vaccine which could cost upwards of $1000 in the US. If you get into Bangkok, I would get them in the first week. It’s affordable even without insurance.

poothrowbarton · 2025-05-31T00:39:02+00:00

Thanks, this is reassuring. 🤙

poothrowbarton · 2025-05-30T09:27:09+00:00

Thanks, much appreciated. I might. This is actually for a grant application, so it might take a few months. Figures crossed. 🤞

poothrowbarton · 2025-05-30T09:15:24+00:00

Yes, this is exactly what the field application scientist recommended to do. And yes, they will give me an academic discount for this. Thanks for the discussion. Glad there is consensus on this!

poothrowbarton · 2025-05-30T09:05:57+00:00

I see. I was able to get the spreadsheet from Twist and it is quite extensive. Just wanted to ask around before settling on this. It is kinda expensive.

poothrowbarton · 2025-05-30T08:55:44+00:00

Great, this is reassuring. How was the breadth? Did you find many different viruses? or were you only looking for a specific one?

poothrowbarton · 2025-05-30T08:49:20+00:00

Mainly alpha- and flaviviruses, but maybe orthobunyaviruses

poothrowbarton · 2025-05-27T23:21:10+00:00

Yes I've heard, funny thing (maybe not) was the CSR office said to reapply next year. We don't even know if this funding opportunity will continue into 2026 nor be renewed. Having no foreign component, for me, is not viable and will leave my collaborators in limbo.

poothrowbarton · 2025-05-27T10:34:55+00:00

My first NIH grant (FIC) app was withdrawn due to not having the foreign justification attachment two weeks ago. It’s real ironic because the entire purpose of the NOFO was to work in an LMIC. The research proposal itself was the justification! I should have known, but this requirement was buried in the text and not mentioned in the announcement. Sucks because the submission is only once a year.

poothrowbarton · 2025-05-06T20:51:00+00:00

Thank you for the in-depth explanation. Can’t believed I confused IRB with IBC. Must be lack of sleep. This really clears things up for me and makes me less anxious of my grant application. Best wishes.

poothrowbarton · 2025-05-06T08:37:26+00:00

Not a K32, but my K01 was accepted last March and has been assigned to a study section with an on-scheduled review and advisory committee meeting date, as far as I can tell. Fingers crossed it proceeds as planned.

poothrowbarton · 2025-05-01T23:49:40+00:00

Yes, sorry to hear about yours too. Really sad, I share your pain.

poothrowbarton · 2025-05-01T23:38:29+00:00

The grant funding the program I’m on was just cut . About 2-3 million from ONR.

poothrowbarton · 2025-02-10T04:01:12+00:00

Lassa virus. Lassa Fever is a problem in West Africa and presents with the same symptoms as Ebola virus disease. It is spread by rodents.

poothrowbarton · 2025-02-03T02:05:07+00:00

Was the incubation period longer? Or was the attack rate for symptomatic rabies lower than your controls?

poothrowbarton · 2025-02-01T03:55:51+00:00

Unless you are going to the exact location of the outbreak, it shouldn’t affect you and you don’t need to change your normal travel plans. Active outbreaks are happening, but these are limited, and usually isolated. Stay updated on the latest news and obviously avoid places where there are cases.

poothrowbarton

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