Currently, there are almost no data available about long-term B cell memory after infection with SARS-CoV-2 or other coronaviruses via the respiratory tract. Therefore, our long-term goal is to understand in detail the induction of a humoral memory response during natural SARS-CoV-2 infection and compare the response with that induced by different vaccination protocols. These studies will provide a clearer picture of how protective long-lived humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2 is induced and whether B cell responses differ between a single infection and various vaccine protocols. This knowledge might be extrapolated to other respiratory coronaviruses and help to establish vaccination protocols for a future pandemic by SARS virus variants or other zoonotic respiratory pathogens.
DFG Programme
CRC/Transregios
