A cell-based system combined with flow cytometry to evaluate antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 transmembrane proteins in patients with COVID-19.

This protocol describes a flow cytometry approach to evaluate antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 transmembrane proteins in COVID-19-positive patient sera samples without the need of specific laboratory facilities for viral infection. We developed a human-cell-based system using spike-expressing HEK293T cells that mimics membrane insertion and N-glycosylation of viral integral membrane proteins in host cells. This assay represents a powerful tool to test antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccine effectiveness.

Impact of Humidity on the Biological Development of Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae).

Aphidoletes aphidimyza Rondani (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is one of the most important predators used in the augmentative biological control of aphids worldwide. However, due to its particular life history, mass rearing A. aphidimyza remains difficult.