Science Translational Medicine on Oct. 14 announced the retraction of a paper on COVID-19 vaccination after learning the report contained fake data and images.
More than four years after publishing “SARS-CoV-2 S2–targeted vaccination elicits broadly neutralizing antibodies,” the journal stated that an investigation conducted by an institution for which some of the authors worked or work determined that the paper included “fabricated data” and “falsified images,” the retraction note stated.
The paper had claimed that experiments showed vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19, elicited strong antibodies.
The Francis Crick Institute in London conducted the investigation and concluded that first author Kevin W. Ng was responsible for the fake data and images. Ng, who worked for the institute in 2022, when the paper was published, has admitted responsibility, according to the note.
Ng could not be reached for comment.
“The existence of data fabrication casts doubt on some other experiments presented in the paper, for which primary data and samples are unavailable, precluding post hoc verification,” the retraction notice said. “In agreement with the findings of the investigation, we are retracting the article.”
Ng and many other authors agreed with the retraction, while two did not respond to communications, according to the journal.
The institute said in a statement that the investigation showed no evidence of malpractice by any of the others besides Ng.
“The corresponding author agreed that retraction is necessary to maintain the integrity of the scientific record,” it said. “The Crick contacted the journal, who have issued a retraction.”
Nature in January retracted another paper by some of the same authors, including Ng. That paper tested the responses of cells in the lungs of cancer patients to immunotherapy.
An investigation by The Francis Crick Institute found manipulated data and data for which the source could not be identified.
Ng was responsible, the institute said in a statement.
“The corresponding authors remain committed to correction of the record and will publish a properly validated study in the near future,” the institute said. “We thank them for acting promptly in bringing this matter to the institute’s attention.”
George Kassiotis, who still works for the institute, was the corresponding author for both papers.
Kassiotis did not respond to a request for comment by publication time.
Nature in September added an editor’s note on an additional paper coauthored by Ng. “Readers are alerted that concerns have been raised regarding the reliability of data presented in this article,” the note reads. “Further editorial action will be taken if appropriate once the investigation into the concerns is complete and all parties have been given an opportunity to respond in full.”
The corresponding author for that paper, who does not work for the institute, did not return an inquiry.
A biographical website at kevinwng.com says that Ng writes about music and culture. It previously stated that he also writes about science, that he has a PhD in biology, and that he has done research on viral infections, cancer, and genetics. The site does not list any contact information.
Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the length of time since Science Translational Medicine published the retracted article. The Epoch Times regrets the error.