Harold Marcotte

Harold Marcotte

Researcher | Docent
Visiting address: Solnavägen 9, 17165 Solna
Postal address: C2 Medicinsk biokemi och biofysik, C2 Immunologi Hammarström, 171 77 Stockholm

About me

  • I am currently a researcher and a docent in the Division of Immunology within the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics (MBB). My primary research focus is to establish passive immunotherapy against mucosal infectious diseases and studying host-microbe interactions. My work includes the development and engineering of human monoclonal and camelid antibodies against coronaviruses, Helicobacter pylori, and noroviruses. I am also investigating the use of recombinant Lactobacillus as a delivery system for antibodies at mucosal surfaces. More recently, I have been conducting research on the systemic and mucosal immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in vaccinated and infected individuals.

Research

  • Mucosal immunology, infectious diseases, SARS-CoV-2, and antibody engineering,  

Teaching

  • I am teaching immunology for the Biomedicine Laboratory Science program (Biomedicinska analytikerprogrammet).

Articles

All other publications

Grants

  • Swedish Research Council
    1 December 2024 - 30 November 2026
    Most approved antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 are ineffective against Omicron subvariants, highlighting the urgent need for alternative therapies. Secretory IgA (sIgA) is the predominant immunoglobulin type in secretions and plays a crucial role in mucosal defenses. Results from our previous VR project, "Mucosal Immunity Against SARS-CoV-2 - A Neglected Field", suggested that both dimeric and sIgA1 antibodies were superior to IgG in neutralizing SARS-CoV-2, providing protection in a mouse model through intranasal delivery. In this project, we plan to further advance the development of a broadly neutralizing IgA antibody lead candidate by generating a stable cell line with the antibody genes integrated into the genome and optimizing the production and purification processes under standard laboratory conditions. All relevant data and protocols used during cell line development and characterization will ensure compliance with regulatory standards and facilitate transfer to GMP facilities. This proof of principal proposal will help us to achieve the next goal, i.e., to further develop and commercialize the lead IgA antibody candidates as a nasal spray to block viral entry and enhance mucosal immunity against future SARS-CoV-2 variants. If successful, this approach could be extended to develop a cocktail of broadly neutralizing IgA antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 for use in a nasal spray. This will help us achieve our long-term goal of preparing for the next pandemic.

Employments

  • Researcher, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, 2023-

Degrees and Education

  • Docent, Karolinska Institutet, 2018

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