#115 - David Watkins, Ph.D.: A masterclass in immunology, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccine strategies for COVID-19
Listen now
Description
In this episode, David Watkins, professor of pathology at George Washington University, shares how insights from his HIV and Zika virus research could apply to SARS-CoV-2 protection strategies. David introduces monoclonal antibodies as an intervention to prevent and treat COVID-19 infection, and also discusses how they could be used as a hedge to vaccine development. Additionally, David’s immunology tutorial explains the innate and adaptive immune systems and their differentiated responses to viral infection.   We discuss: Background and current interest in immunology [4:30]; Immunology 101—The innate and adaptive immune system [10:15]; Defining antibodies, importance of neutralizing antibodies, and serology testing for COVID-19 [19:00]; B cells—How they fight viruses, create antibodies, and fit into the vaccine strategy [25:00]; T cells—Role in the adaptive immune system and ability to kill infected cells to prevent viral spread [36:15]; Valuable lessons from HIV applied to SARS-CoV-2 [51:00]; Lessons taken from the hepatitis C success story [1:01:30]; Monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and the most promising strategies for preventing and treating COVID-19 infection [1:04:45]; COVID-19 vaccines in development [1:19:00]; How David’s work with Zika virus informs his thinking on SARS-CoV-2 [1:25:20]; Why a vaccine for COVID-19 doesn’t need to be perfect to be effective [1:27:45]; and More. Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/ Show notes page for this episode: https://peterattiamd.com/davidwatkins Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.
More Episodes
View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter Luc van Loon is an internationally renowned expert in skeletal muscle metabolism. In this episode, Luc starts with an exploration of the roles of insulin and...
Published 04/22/24
Published 04/15/24
View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter Paul Conti is an author and practicing psychiatrist who specializes in helping people heal from trauma. In this episode, Paul returns to The Drive to delve into...
Published 04/15/24