Above: Dr. Kobie with the Melody™ Flow Cytometric Cell Sorter which is used to identify and isolate SARS-CoV-2 specific B cells and create monoclonal antibodies.
James Kobie, Ph.D., (Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases) Mark Walter, Ph.D., (Dept. Microbiology) and colleagues have published a study in the journal PLOS Pathogens highlighting their discovery of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody that could act as a potent universal coronavirus therapy. In an animal experiment, the antibody protected against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants when given as an intraperitoneal injection or a nasal dose. Researchers believe their findings could lead to the development of vaccines that provide immunity for all coronaviruses.
More Good News for July 29, 2022
U.S. News & World Report released its annual Best Hospital rankings this week. Five DOM specialties were among this year’s Top 50: Rheumatology (10), Cardiology (31), Geriatrics (36), Endocrinology (40), and Pulmonology (50). Gastroenterology and Cancer were noted as high-performing.
Ronit Elk, Ph.D., (Professor, Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Care) will lead a multi-center investigation intended to address cultural, environmental, and economic barriers and enhance palliative care services among African American cancer patients.
Barbara Van Der Pol, Ph.D., (Professor, Infectious Diseases) has been invited to serve as a Chairperson of the Microbiology Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Suzanne Oparil, M.D., (Professor, Cardiovascular Disease) has been elected president-elect of the American Heart Association Metro Birmingham to provide expertise and direction to the chapter with an emphasis on advancing health within the community; her term begins July 2023.
Please join us in welcoming Associate Professor and Co-Director of Critical Care Nephrology Javier Neyra, M.D. His research interests focus on acute kidney injury: early detection, risk-stratification, clinical outcomes and mechanisms of recovery.