AsianScientist (Apr. 28, 2020) – An estimated 25 percent or more people are asymptomatic for COVID-19. To determine the true scale of the coronavirus outbreak, public health authorities are hoping to turn to serology or antibody testing, which could indicate prior infection.
But how accurate are these tests? Does the presence of antibodies correlate with protective immunity to the disease, and if so, how long does that immunity last for? Can antibodies from survivors be used as a potential treatment for COVID-19?
All these questions, and more, will be discussed on May 6, 2020 as we chat with leading antibody expert Sir David Lane, Chief Scientist of Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). The session will be moderated by Dr. Juliana Chan, CEO of Wildtype Media Group, Asia’s leading STEM-focused media company.
Lane was knighted in 2000 for his contributions to cancer research and landmark discovery of the p53 cancer gene, popularly known as the “guardian of the genome.” Apart from his role as A*STAR’s Chief Scientist, Lane is also concurrently the Director of A*STAR’s p53 Laboratory and Chairman of Chugai Pharmabody Research, which specializes in antibody drug discovery.
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is the lead public sector agency in Singapore seeking to advance scientific discovery and develop innovative technologies through economic-oriented research. Since its establishment in 1991, A*STAR has built strong research capabilities in a diverse range of fields, particularly in the biomedical, physical and engineering sciences.
In the third webinar of our Wildtype Media Expert Opinion series, Lane will cover COVID-19 immunity, antibody drugs as well as the ethical and legal implications that may arise from granting “immunity certificates” for travel and work.
Date:
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Time:
10:00 am UK Time
5:00 pm Singapore/Hong Kong Time
Please register here.
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Copyright: Asian Scientist Magazine.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.