BATS

Date/Time:

Dec 18, 2020 - 12:00 PM

Location:

Hosts:

Bevin Engelward

Speaker:

Title:

Exploring Virus-like Proteins in Mammalian Genomes

Abstract:

Retroviruses have integrated into the mammalian germline for millions of years, leaving behind genomes containing both unexpressed and expressed proteins. For example, endogenous viral envelope proteins called syncytins are necessary for placental development in mammals; however, the majority of viral derived or virus-like proteins found in mammalian genomes have unclear functions. Here I highlight our work exploring the role of other virus-like proteins with the goal of understanding their biological function and potential applications.

Speaker:

Title:

Compromised SARS-CoV-2-specific Placental Antibody Transfer

Abstract:

Despite mounting evidence associating pregnancy and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, pregnant individuals are excluded from most vaccine and therapeutic trials. Furthermore, it is unknown whether maternal infection compromises the transfer of antibodies to the infant. Here, we used a systems serology approach to characterize the transfer of influenza-, pertussis-, and SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies across the placenta after SARS-CoV-2 infection.