COVID-19

Machine-learning model can distinguish antibody targets

2022-04-21

Different antibodies (green, aqua, pink) attack different parts of the SARS-CoV-2 viral particle (yellow/orange sphere). The virus’s spike proteins (purple) are a key antibody target, with some antibodies attaching to the top (darker purple) and others to the stem (paler zone). Graphic by Yiquan Wang

A new study from the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology shows that it is possible to use the genetic sequences of a person’s antibodies to predict what pathogens those antibodies will target. Reported in the journal Immunity, the new approach successfully differentiates between antibodies...

Decoding Life with MCB: Decoy Proteins

2022-03-07

Podcast album artwork. Titled "Decoding Life with MCB: Life is extraordinary. So is the work we do."

Life is extraordinary. So is the work we do. In a brand new podcast, Decoding Life with MCB, the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign explores the impact of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni in each episode.

Association of Computing Machinery recognizes researchers for their novel SARS-CoV2 simulations

2021-12-09

Computational microscopy of the SARS-CoV2 virion in an aerosol droplet along with the proteins that make up the deep lung fluids.

Congratulations to the University of Illinois scientists who were part of two teams selected as finalists for a prestigious award that celebrates outstanding achievement in high-performance computing.

Antibodies from original strain COVID-19 infection don't bind to variants, study finds

2021-09-20

Illustration of the ultrastructural morphology exhibited by SARS-CoV-2 and the spike proteins that adorn the outer surface of the virus.

People infected with the original strain of the virus that causes COVID-19 early in the pandemic produced a consistent antibody response, making two main groups of antibodies to bind to the spike protein on the virus’s outer surface. However, those antibodies don’t bind well to newer variants, a...

U of I president honors MCB researchers for their work on COVID-19 response

2021-08-24

University of Illinois President Tim Killeen on Monday honored 28 key leaders of the system’s COVID-19 response with the Presidential Medallion. The medallion is the highest honor that the system president can bestow.

Frequent COVID-19 testing key to efficient, early detection, study finds

2021-06-30

Student spits into funnel tube for saliva sample collection.

The chance of detecting the virus that causes COVID-19 increases with more frequent testing, no matter the type of test, a new study found. Both polymerase chain reaction and antigen tests, paired with rapid results reporting, can achieve 98% sensitivity if deployed at least every three days.

Effort to curb COVID-19 leads to a deeper understanding of communities and the disease

2021-06-22

Medical staff use a swab to collect nasal samples from a patient for a PCR COVID-19 test.

Several faculty from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, including microbiology professor Rachel Whitaker, are collaborating to help and learn from a town struck by the pandemic.

Geographies of death: Study maps COVID-19 health disparities in Greater Santiago

2021-04-27

People up to age 40 living in economically depressed municipalities in the Greater Santiago, Chile, metropolitan area were three times more likely to die as a result of the infection than their counterparts in wealthier areas, researchers report in the journal Science. People ages 41-80 in low...

MCB students, faculty, and staff recognized for their extraordinary efforts during COVID-19

2021-04-20

LAS Impact Award: Recognizing inspiring efforts during COVID-19

We’re proud to share the news that many School of Molecular & Cellular Biology students, faculty, and staff members have received College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Impact Awards. The awards, announced this week, recognize inspiring efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. So many in our...

Chris Brooke on The 21st radio show: New variants, vaccines and the future of COVID-19

2021-03-01

Chris Brooke, assistant professor of microbiology, recently spoke with The 21st public radio show about what scientists know about the virus that causes COVID-19, the emerging variants, and what they still have to learn.

Contact Us