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Updated: Dec 11, 2025
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Receptor-Binding Domain Antibody using a HiBiT-Based Bioreporter
Published on: August 12, 2021
CoV-AbDab: the coronavirus antibody database
Matthew I J Raybould1, Aleksandr Kovaltsuk1, Claire Marks1
1Oxford Protein Informatics Group, Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3LB, UK.
Motivation:
The emergence of a novel strain of betacoronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has led to a pandemic that has been associated with over 700 000 deaths as of August 5, 2020. Research is ongoing around the world to create vaccines and therapies to minimize rates of disease spread and mortality. Crucial to these efforts are molecular characterizations of neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Such antibodies would be valuable for measuring vaccine efficacy, diagnosing exposure and developing effective biotherapeutics. Here, we describe our new database, CoV-AbDab, which already contains data on over 1400 published/patented antibodies and nanobodies known to bind to at least one betacoronavirus. This database is the first consolidation of antibodies known to bind SARS-CoV-2 as well as other betacoronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV. It contains relevant metadata including evidence of cross-neutralization, antibody/nanobody origin, full variable domain sequence (where available) and germline assignments, epitope region, links to relevant PDB entries, homology models and source literature.
Results:
On August 5, 2020, CoV-AbDab referenced sequence information on 1402 anti-coronavirus antibodies and nanobodies, spanning 66 papers and 21 patents. Of these, 1131 bind to SARS-CoV-2.
Availabilityand Implementation:
CoV-AbDab is free to access and download without registration at http://opig.stats.ox.ac.uk/webapps/coronavirus. Community submissions are encouraged.
Supplementary Information:
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Insights
A new database, CoV-AbDab, consolidates information on over 1400 antibodies targeting betacoronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. This resource aids vaccine efficacy measurement and therapeutic development against coronaviruses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has led to a global pandemic with significant mortality.
- Developing vaccines and therapies requires understanding neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.
- Molecular characterization of antibodies is crucial for vaccine efficacy, diagnostics, and biotherapeutics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce CoV-AbDab, a novel database consolidating data on antibodies and nanobodies targeting betacoronaviruses.
- To provide a centralized resource for researchers studying SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses.
- To facilitate the development of diagnostics and therapeutics through comprehensive antibody data.
Main Methods:
- Compilation of published and patented antibody and nanobody data.
- Inclusion of metadata such as antibody origin, variable domain sequence, and epitope information.
- Cross-referencing with PDB entries and homology models.
Main Results:
- CoV-AbDab contains data on 1402 anti-coronavirus antibodies and nanobodies as of August 5, 2020.
- 1131 of these antibodies specifically bind to SARS-CoV-2.
- The database includes information on cross-neutralization, antibody origin, sequences, and epitope regions.
Conclusions:
- CoV-AbDab is the first comprehensive database of antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 and other betacoronaviruses.
- The database serves as a valuable tool for researchers in vaccine development and therapeutic strategies.
- CoV-AbDab is freely accessible, encouraging community contributions to expand its scope.
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