Mary Wilson
Well-known member
AUGUST 11, 2020
By USHA LEE MCFARLING
Inspired by a unique kind of infection-fighting antibody found in llamas, alpacas, and other camelids, a research team at the University of California, San Francisco, has synthesized a molecule that they say is among the most potent anti-coronavirus compounds tested in a lab to date.
Called nanobodies because they are about a quarter of the size of antibodies found in people and most other animals, these molecules can nestle into the nooks and crannies of proteins to block viruses from attaching to and infecting cells.
The lab-made one created by the UCSF team is so stable it can be converted into a dry powder and aerosolized, meaning it would be much easier to administer than Covid-19 treatments being developed using human monoclonal antibodies. While the work is still very preliminary, the goal is to deliver the synthetic nanobody via simple inhaled sprays to the nose or lungs, allowing it to potentially be self-administered and used prophylactically against Covid-19 — if it’s shown safe and effective in both animal tests and clinical trials.
After four months of working nearly around the clock, the team posted the results Monday to the bioRxiv preprint server. The paper has not yet been peer-reviewed, but the researchers said they are already in talks to find a partner that can quickly test, manufacture, and distribute the new compound in hopes it can prevent new infections and mitigate disease in those who are already infected.
https://www.statnews.com/2020/08/11...m_source=twitter&utm_campaign=twitter_organic
By USHA LEE MCFARLING
Inspired by a unique kind of infection-fighting antibody found in llamas, alpacas, and other camelids, a research team at the University of California, San Francisco, has synthesized a molecule that they say is among the most potent anti-coronavirus compounds tested in a lab to date.
Called nanobodies because they are about a quarter of the size of antibodies found in people and most other animals, these molecules can nestle into the nooks and crannies of proteins to block viruses from attaching to and infecting cells.
The lab-made one created by the UCSF team is so stable it can be converted into a dry powder and aerosolized, meaning it would be much easier to administer than Covid-19 treatments being developed using human monoclonal antibodies. While the work is still very preliminary, the goal is to deliver the synthetic nanobody via simple inhaled sprays to the nose or lungs, allowing it to potentially be self-administered and used prophylactically against Covid-19 — if it’s shown safe and effective in both animal tests and clinical trials.
After four months of working nearly around the clock, the team posted the results Monday to the bioRxiv preprint server. The paper has not yet been peer-reviewed, but the researchers said they are already in talks to find a partner that can quickly test, manufacture, and distribute the new compound in hopes it can prevent new infections and mitigate disease in those who are already infected.
https://www.statnews.com/2020/08/11...m_source=twitter&utm_campaign=twitter_organic