Bats' Duplicated Antibody Gene System Discovered

Researchers at Tulane University, with collaborators at Stanford University and the United States — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, discovered that vesper bats, the largest family of bats, possess two distinct sets of antibody heavy-chain genes, a feature unique among mammals. The study, published in Science Advances, was led by Hannah Frank. The duplication likely occurred in a common ancestor tens of millions of years ago and is present in nearly all 26 related bat species examined. The two gene sets produce antibodies with different characteristics: one set generates highly specific antibodies through extensive mutation, while the other produces broader, more flexible antibodies. This dual system may contribute to bats' ability to tolerate viruses that are deadly to other species. The finding shifts focus to bats' adaptive immune system and may inform future strategies to prevent disease spillover.