What is the spike protein?
The spike protein is a crucial component of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and is largely reponsible for mediating viral entry into host cells
The spike protein is made as a 175k monomer subunit, which can assemble into a more stable trimeric structure. This trimer structure is the main focus of vaccine design and development for this reason.
What will the test measure?
The Attomarker Spike Protein test is a research-based test undergoing development.
It is anticipated that the test will be able to differentiate between pre- and post- Omicron spike protein, and differentiate between monomer vs trimer Spike protein i.e. Spike protein from natural infection vs vaccination.
What would be the benefits of the test?
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen or RNA in patients with long COVID is widely reported phenomenom,1-2 and have even been reported in those suffering from myocarditis post mRNA vaccination3.
A test to detect spike protein therefore, may be advantageous to physicians looking for suitable therapries.
Test Development Status – research risk
The test is in the preliminary stages of development and so there is a research risk associated; the test may have sensitivity issues that are as of yet unknown, which may result in delays in the test output and/or in the minimum quantity threshold able to be reported in the final report.
The aim is that the results will be reported in quantifiable units, mg/L, to enable correlation with antibody titre tests such as the Attomarker COVID Antibody Spectrum Test.
Interested?
Development of the test is only possible due to philanthropic funding. If you are interested in being part of the first cohort for this test, and understand the research risk associated with the test, and the potential delays in test output, please purchase the test here.
If you have any questions about development of the test, please contact us at customer.care@attomarker.com
References
- Fehrer, A. et al. Serum Spike Protein Persistence Post COVID Is Not Associated with ME/CFS. Clin. Med. 14, (2025).
- Boros, L. G. et al. Long-lasting, biochemically modified mRNA, and its frameshifted recombinant spike proteins in human tissues and circulation after COVID-19 vaccination. Res. Perspect. 12, e1218 (2024).
- Yonker, L. M. et al. Circulating Spike Protein Detected in Post-COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Myocarditis. Circulation 147, 867–876 (2023).