2020 Rationalist.org — Evolution Tree content
Scientists say llamas may be able to help us beat the coronavirus. According to a new review published in the journal Cell Tuesday by an international research team, antibodies found in the blood of llamas were able to eliminate COVID infections.
"This is one of the first antibodies we know of that neutralizes SARS CoV 2."
Jason McLellan, one of the authors of the study at the University of Texas, said, "This is one of the first antibodies known to neutralize SARS CoV-2."
Building on a previous study from four years ago, researchers discovered that antibodies taken from a 9-month-old llama named Winter were able to neutralize both SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV viruses for six weeks.
Fortunately, Winter, who is now four years old, also had antibodies that were effective against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
What's surprising is that llamas haven't been used in antibody studies for the first time. As The New York Times reported, trials using llama antibodies have been conducted many times before. Examples include HIV and influenza studies that have led to the discovery of promising treatments.
Because llamas have small antibodies, they can more easily connect with the virus.
Daniel Wrapp, a PhD candidate at Dartmouth and one of the authors of the study, explained that the antibody neutralizes the virus by attaching to the protein ends of the viruses and preventing the virus from binding and entering.
Scientists say that antibody-based treatment for new infections shows promise.
McLellan stated, "Vaccines need to be administered one or two months in advance to provide protection against infections." He continued by saying that thanks to antibodies, we can provide this protection without that waiting period after treatment, and that antibodies can even be used on patients to reduce the severity of the disease.
Xavier Saelens, a molecular virologist at Ghent University in Belgium and also one of the authors of the study, said there is still much work to be done before these developments become significant. “If it works, Lama Winter deserves a statue.”
Translation: A. Ege Palaz
Reference: 1.Futurism, “Scientists Say Llama Antibodies Could Be Key to Defeating COVID” < https://futurism.com/llama-antibodies-covid
2.CTVNews, “Can the blood of a llama named 'Winter' be used to protect against coronavirus?” < https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/can-the-blood-of-a-llama-named-winter-be-used-to-protect-against-coronavirus-1.493124 7>
Originally published on Medium on February 28, 2025. English translation of “Lama Antikorları ve Covid-19”.