CoVaRR-Net Funded Publications
CoVaRR-Net was extremely productive with regards to scientific outputs relative to the research funding investments it received. In its four years of operation, the Network’s members produced 139 peer-reviewed research publications, 12 preprints and 15 other types of publications, including live systematic reviews and public health recommendations.
In an effort to make the science more understandable to a wider audience, CoVaRR-Net wrote lay summaries of many of its funded publications, listed below.
Antibody response durability following three-dose coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination in people with HIV receiving suppressive antiretroviral therapy
This study investigates longer term COVID-19 antibody responses in people with HIV (PWH) who are on suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) after receiving three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
SARS-CoV-2 live virus neutralization after four COVID-19 doses in people with HIV receiving immunosuppressive antiretroviral therapy
This study examines the immune benefits of receiving a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose for people with HIV (PWH) who are on suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Selection for immune evasion in SARS-CoV-2 revealed by high-resolution epitope mapping combined with genome sequence analysis
Understanding how the immune system responds to SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is crucial for developing better diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines.
The RNA interference effector protein Argonaute 2 functions as a restriction factor against SARS-CoV-2
Plants, insects, and invertebrates defend against virus infections by using an RNA based system, called RNA interference or RNAi. RNAi uses small pieces of the viral genome, termed small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to target and destroy infectious viral genomes by using a protein that cleaves RNA, called Argonaute.
The Canadian VirusSeq Data Portal and Duotang: open resources for SARS-CoV-2 viral sequences and genomic epidemiology
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a large global effort to sequence SARS-CoV-2 genomes from patient samples to track viral evolution and inform public health response.
Estimating SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Canadian blood donors, April 2020 to March 2021: improving accuracy with multiple assays
Seroprevalence data can provide key insights about incidence of infection and exposure to pathogens during epidemics. Serological studies have affirmed that an antibody response is correlated with clearance of viral shedding, have helped confirm true infections, and have helped identify populations with elevated risks of infection.
Impact of Omicron BA.1 infection on BA.4/5 immunity in transplant recipients
Neutralizing antibodies are generated in response to vaccination and infection and their function is to block entry of a pathogen into host cells. The Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 contain mutations in the spike protein sequence that can escape recognition by neutralizing antibodies, which can allow the SARS-CoV-2 viral variant to evade immunity.
SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particle neutralizing capacity in blood donors depends on serological profile and donor-declared SARS-CoV-2 vaccination history
Neutralizing antibodies are produced as an immune response to vaccination or infection. The term “neutralizing” refers to the ability of some antibodies to block a pathogen from infecting or entering host cells.
Neutralisation against Omicron variant in transplant recipients after three doses of mRNA vaccine
In 2022, Omicron replaced Wild-type and Delta virus strains as the dominant strain of SARS-CoV-2. During the emergence and establishment of Omicron variant, three doses of vaccine were recommended as the primary vaccine series for solid organ transplant recipients.