Antibodies need a strong core—not just grip—to fight SARS-CoV-2

An international research team has identified a previously overlooked factor that influences how antibodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2: their mechanical stability under force. Antibodies are key components of the immune system that bind to viral particles and block infection. Traditionally, their effectiveness has been evaluated based on binding affinity alone—how strongly they attach to viral proteins. However, in the human body, antibodies function in a mechanically dynamic environment shaped by blood flow, respiratory motion, and cellular forces.