Llamas and the coronavirus – level 2

Belgian scientists took antibodies from a llama, and the antibodies can help fight against COVID-19.

Llamas have an antibody which is called a heavy chain antibody, and it is much simpler than human antibodies. Therefore, it is possible to take a small part of it and put it together with other proteins like building blocks. Studies showed that this method worked for several variants of the virus, including the dangerous delta variant, too.

Scientists are doing more tests to see how good the method really is. It will not replace vaccines, but it could help people with weak immune systems or people who end up in hospital.

Difficult words: antibody (a blood protein), method (a way of doing something), variant (another type of a virus), immune system (the system in a body which protects it from diseases).

You can watch the original video in the Level 3 section.