TWiV 1239: Aluminum and antibodies

In this episode of TWiV, Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Brianne Barker discuss virology and immunology news, beginning with a discussion on the safety of aluminum adjuvants in vaccines, referencing a Danish study that found no increased risk of chronic diseases in children receiving aluminum-adsorbed vaccines. They then delve into a paper on the structural serology of polyclonal antibody responses to mRNA-1273 (Moderna) and Novavax COVID-19 vaccines, exploring the epitope distribution and antibody responses in non-human primates and humans, and the implications for future vaccine design. Finally, they answer listener emails on topics ranging from vaccine skepticism among doctors to the state of scientific research in the U.S., and share their "picks of the week," including an animation of MHC class one antigen presentation, a thought-provoking online game, and a promising new HIV antiviral drug.