Contrasting Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination vs. Infection on Antibody and TCR Repertoires

The preprint operates within the dominant paradigm of immunology, specifically focusing on adaptive immune responses mediated by B cells and T cells. It investigates the changes in antibody and T cell receptor repertoires following SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination.

This research firmly falls within the "normal science" phase of Kuhn's paradigm cycle. The study investigates a specific problem within the established paradigm of adaptive immunity. It seeks to refine our understanding of how infection and vaccination shape antibody and T cell receptor repertoires. The research does not challenge the fundamental tenets of the existing paradigm, but rather contributes to the accumulation of knowledge within it. While some unexpected observations were made regarding IGH CDR3 length in vaccinees, these findings are viewed as intriguing subtleties within the existing framework rather than anomalies that necessitate a paradigm shift. The study acknowledges the complexity and diffuse nature of immune repertoire signatures and emphasizes the need for larger, more comprehensive studies to fully elucidate these patterns. Therefore, the study's contribution is primarily to puzzle-solving within the current paradigm, characteristic of normal science.