WET LAB AND STARTUP BUSINESS INCUBATOR

Antibodies with Dr. Monica Berrondo of Macromoltek

We had hoped that by now, we would have all resumed our normal lives and be back to doing what we do. Alas, as of this week, the cases of COVID-19 is on the rise. I know that we are all being inundated with information about the different types of tests and the different types of vaccines in the works and how PPE is being sterilized for reuse and it is hard to take it all in. As we have several companies here at the ACC Bioscience Incubator that are working on some of these things, I’d like to take a deeper dive into antibodies. I think people have a vague understanding of antibodies, but with all the discussion these day about them, I share here some useful info to help it all make a bit more sense. Most people know that antibodies are part of your immune system and that they are responsible for finding and destroying pathogens and foreign material from your body. But I invite you to tune into just one lesson from Armando Hasudungan. I think you'll be surprised at how well he explains it and how much you'll enjoy learning about them.COVID test? Antibody test? What is the difference and why should you get one over the other? Here is a great animation that explains what an antibody test is looking for and what you can learn…and not learn…from having one.When news first broke about this new novel Coronavirus, it was reported to affect mostly older adults. It was understood to be a respiratory virus and had only severe implications for those with with respiratory problems and other comorbidities. However, as we have watched the progression of this pandemic, there has been a diverse array of infection phenotypes, including severe blood clots and organ failure. Here, Dr. Akiko Iwasaki explains the immune response known as a cytokine storm that lends some insight into these unexpected cases.Our very own Monica Berrondo, founder of member company Macromoltek, discuss all things antibodies in Episode #2 of ABI’s podcast, ‘Science in the Mall, Y’all’.

Nancy Lyon

Interim Director

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Supporting Pandemic Innovations

TEXGHS 

is a consortium comprised of academia, public sector, and private sector partners that will coordinate efforts to support global health security.“Global health security is a state of freedom from the scourge of infectious disease, irrespective of origin or source. It is achieved through the policies, programmes, and activities taken to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from biological threats… These threats know no borders and have global consequences requiring more effective collective action.” – From The Sydney Statement on Global Health Security, 2019

ABI Companies Working on COVID-19

Since the pandemic has been the primary focus worldwide, ABI has been closed to the public until further notice while its lab facilities have been opened to member companies who have been tirelessly working on solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic. We would like to take a moment to applaud and to thank the following member companies for stepping up to the plate to come up with a resolution to fight COVID-19.

STUDENTS IN ABI

Andrea Armeriv-  Congratulations go out to Andrea Armeriv, an intern with ABI member company En Solucion! She was recently hired at Microchem Laboratory as an Associate Analyst where she is part of the disinfectant/sanitizer testing team. Andrea graduated from St. Edward’s University in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Microchem Laboratory is an FDA and EPA GLP-compliant contract testing facility located in the greater Austin area. Andrea thoroughly enjoys her new job, as it is a wonderful opportunity for her to learn, as well as to apply the skills she obtained while working for En Solucion.

Elizabeth Hampton-  ABI Intern, Elizabeth Hampton, graduated from Austin Community College in May with an Associate of Science Degree in General Studies. The very next day, she began her new position with Nuclein, LLC as a Scientist I!  Nuclein is an not only an Austin-based company, but an ABI member company. Their mission is to create a hand-held, disposable, all-in-one, self-test for infectious disease delivering sample-to-answer results within one hour. Elizabeth’s role consists of all around support, including being a second set of hands for certain experiments. Everyone at Nuclein has welcomed Elizabeth and is always willing to take a moment to explain things that she quite doesn’t understand yet. Congratulations, Elizabeth!