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The Serological Sciences Network (SeroNet) for COVID-19: Depth and Breadth of Serology Assays and Plans for Assay Harmonization
- PMID: 35262095
- PMCID: PMC8902887
- DOI: 10.1101/2022.02.27.22271399
The Serological Sciences Network (SeroNet) for COVID-19: Depth and Breadth of Serology Assays and Plans for Assay Harmonization
Update in
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The Serological Sciences Network (SeroNet) for COVID-19: Depth and Breadth of Serology Assays and Plans for Assay Harmonization.mSphere. 2022 Aug 31;7(4):e0019322. doi: 10.1128/msphere.00193-22. Epub 2022 Jun 15. mSphere. 2022. PMID: 35703544 Free PMC article.
Abstract
Background: In October 2020, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Serological Sciences Network (SeroNet) was established to study the immune response to COVID-19, and "to develop, validate, improve, and implement serological testing and associated technologies." SeroNet is comprised of 25 participating research institutions partnering with the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR) and the SeroNet Coordinating Center. Since its inception, SeroNet has supported collaborative development and sharing of COVID-19 serological assay procedures and has set forth plans for assay harmonization.
Methods: To facilitate collaboration and procedure sharing, a detailed survey was sent to collate comprehensive assay details and performance metrics on COVID-19 serological assays within SeroNet. In addition, FNLCR established a protocol to calibrate SeroNet serological assays to reference standards, such as the U.S. SARS-CoV-2 serology standard reference material and First WHO International Standard (IS) for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin (20/136), to facilitate harmonization of assay reporting units and cross-comparison of study data.
Results: SeroNet institutions reported development of a total of 27 ELISA methods, 13 multiplex assays, 9 neutralization assays, and use of 12 different commercial serological methods. FNLCR developed a standardized protocol for SeroNet institutions to calibrate these diverse serological assays to reference standards.
Conclusions: SeroNet institutions have established a diverse array of COVID-19 serological assays to study the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 virus and vaccines. Calibration of SeroNet serological assays to harmonize results reporting will facilitate future pooled data analyses and study cross-comparisons.
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References
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- NCI Serological Sciences Network for COVID-19 (SeroNet). Accessed December 2, 2021. https://www.cancer.gov/research/key-initiatives/covid-19/coronavirus-res...
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- In Vitro Diagnostics EUAs - Serology and Other Adaptive Immune Response Tests for SARS-CoV-2. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Accessed December 2, 2021. https://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-eme...
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