The Serological Sciences Network (SeroNet); the U.S. government’s effort to boost testing capacity and escalate standardized research on immune responses to SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Abstract In April 2020, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR) built the Serological Sciences Network(SeroNet) on the foundation of the HPV Serology program to develop serology technologies to better understand the immune response to infection and vaccines. SeroNet members (steering committee, investigators, working groups) are funded by NCI (through The Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act) to characterize immune responses elicited by SARS-CoV-2 and the modifiers and mechanisms driving these responses, the serological correlates of disease pathogenesis/protection, and the barriers to SARS-CoV-2 serological testing. Studies were conducted by 8 Centers of Excellence and 13 Research Projects, with reference material development and longitudinal vaccine response studies conducted at FNLCR and 4 subcontracted Capacity Building Centers (CBCs). CBC testing capacity has reached >5,000 tests/week and has collected >8000 aliquots of serum/peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) samples and ~3000 healthy control/immunocompromised patients (serum, PBMC’s, clinical/follow up data) for use by SeroNet. SeroNet has produced 332 papers on correlates of protection and characterization of the immune response. Study level data for 87 papers is found in the Immunology Database and Analysis Portal (ImmPort). SeroNet has produced study design templates, standard operating procedures, common data elements, and well-characterized SARS-CoV-2 serology standards, such as the first US SARS-CoV-2 serology standard, which is calibrated against the WHO International Standard and evaluation panels to facility assay development and validation. National Cancer Institute