The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic sweeps the globe, MSL researchers respond

Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the work of MSL faculty has been instrumental in understanding and combatting the virus. Much of the progress made through variant sequencing, vaccine development and life–saving treatments have roots in research carried out within the within the MSL. Highlights of the significant contributions made to the global effort to curb the pandemic include: 

March 2020  
AbCellera and Eli Lilly to Co-develop Antibody Therapies for the Treatment of COVID-19 

April 2020
Drs Wilfred Jefferies, Leonard Foster and team secure MSFHR funding to develop potential COVID-19 vaccines via the Novel COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative 

May 2020 
Dr. Martin Hirst, Thibault Mayor and other UBC researchers collaborate to address the COVID-19 testing challenge 

June 2020  
Dr. Terry Snutch Leads Canadian Researchers in Sequencing Covid-19 Virus Genome 

October 2020
Vaccine expert Dr. Anna Blakney joins Team Halo, an initiative started by the United Nations and Vaccine Confidence Project, which connects scientists and clinicians working on COVID-19 to the general public over TikTok 

December 2020 
Adjunct Professor Carl Hansesn’s company AbCellera makes waves with successful IPO 

Dr. Martin Hirst’s lab pilots new COVID-19 testing and cleaning protocols 

April 2021 
Dr. Leonard Foster speaks on how cloud computing support accelerates COVID-19 vaccine improvements 

Dr. Wilfred Jefferies collaborates with Eyam Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics on COVID-19 vaccine pre-clinical trials