Universityof Toronto researcherSachdev Sidhuand his collaborators are engineering antibody molecules that can neutralize the novel coronavirus in the body before it invades cells.
Sidhu (left) already leads a differentteam that received supportin the first round of federal funding. The goal of that project is to design antiviral medicines that block viral replication.
With our two funded projects, we are working to develop molecules that can target the virus both inside human cells and on the outside to prevent it from getting in, says Sidhu, who is a professor of molecular genetics in the Faculty of Medicine.
Rini has previously helped to determine how antibodies bind to and inactivate the SARS virus, the coronavirus that caused the outbreak in Asia more than 15 years ago. Also on the team isAlan Cochrane, a professor in the department of molecular genetics and an HIV virologist with expertise in viral RNA processing.
The antibodies will be engineered to block the so-called S-protein that forms spikes on the virus's surface. The spikes lock on to a protein called ACE2 on the surface of human cells to gain entry. Coating viral particles with synthetic antibodies should prevent the spikes from binding to ACE2.
Sidhu and Rini will also engineer antibodies that bind ACE2 to make it inaccessible to the virus. This type of engineered immunity surpasses the capacity of the bodys natural immune system since antibodies that react against self-proteins have been filtered out. If successful, the approach may obviate worries about viral mutations that can render drugs ineffective to new emerging viral strains becausethe host protein ACE2 does not change over time.
Sidhus team has advanced a technology called phage display to rapidly create and select human antibodies with desired biological properties, including blocking the virussspike protein. Over the last decade, his team has created hundreds of antibodies with therapeutic potential some of which are in clinical development through spin-off companiesand large pharmaceutical firms.
The group has demonstrated success with both approaches for inhibiting viral entry, having developed neutralizing antibodies that target the Ebola virus as well as antibodies that target the human host receptor of hantavirus or hepatitis C. Moreover, other research has shown that antibodies targeting SARS, a related virus whose genetic material is over 80 per cent identical to the one causing COVID-19, can clear infection in cells and mice.
Using phage display, in which tiny bacterial viruses called phages are instructed to create vast libraries of diverse antibodies, the team will select the antibodies that can kill the virus in human cells before testing them on mice and, eventually, patients. Experiments on mice could start within three to six months, Sidhu says.
In addition to creating antibodies tailored to the new virus from scratch, the researchers will also modify existing SARS-blocking antibodies so that they attack COVID-19 and provide an additional route to the development of a therapeutic.
Given the global spread of the virus, its possible that it will become endemic and circulate in the population like seasonal flu. And, like the flu, it could mutate into new strains that will evade acquired immunity and the vaccines that are being developed. By generating a panel of different antibodies, the researchers aim to stay one step ahead of the virus.
Our advances in antibody engineering technologiesand access to the complete genomes of the COVID-19 virus and its relatives provides us with an opportunity to create tailored therapeutic antibodies at a scale and speed that was not possible even a few years ago, says Sidhu.
Ultimately, we aim to optimize methods to the point where the evolution of new drugs will keep pace with the evolution of the virus itself, providing new and effective drugs in response to new outbreaks.
The rest is here:
Researchers at U of T developing antibodies to 'neutralize' novel coronavirus before it invades cells - News@UofT
- Molecular Genetics Testing - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - November 16th, 2024
- Working with Molecular Genetics (Hardison) - Biology LibreTexts - November 16th, 2024
- Molecular Underpinnings of Genetic and Rare Diseases: From ... - Frontiers - November 16th, 2024
- The molecular genetics of schizophrenia: New findings promise new insights. - November 16th, 2024
- 8: Techniques of Molecular Genetics - Biology LibreTexts - September 4th, 2024
- 1.5: Molecular Genetics - Biology LibreTexts - September 4th, 2024
- Molecular genetics made simple - PMC - National Center for ... - September 4th, 2024
- 4 Introduction to Molecular Genetics - University of Minnesota Twin Cities - September 4th, 2024
- Molecular genetics - Definition and Examples - Biology Online - September 4th, 2024
- A Detailed Look at the Science of Molecular Genetics - KnowYourDNA - September 4th, 2024
- Molecular Genetics | NHLBI, NIH - September 4th, 2024
- Molecular biology - Wikipedia - September 4th, 2024
- Genetics, Molecular & Cellular Biology Admissions - September 4th, 2024
- Researchers map 50,000 of DNAs mysterious knots in the human genome - EurekAlert - September 4th, 2024
- Artificial selection of mutations in two nearby genes gave rise to shattering resistance in soybean - Nature.com - September 4th, 2024
- Mainz Biomed Expands Corporate Health Program for ColoAlert with the Addition of Three New Companies in Germany - Marketscreener.com - April 7th, 2023
- Molecular Genetics and Metabolism | Journal - ScienceDirect - December 11th, 2022
- People don't mate randomly but the flawed assumption that they do is an essential part of many studies linking genes to diseases and traits - The... - November 25th, 2022
- Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics - Master of Science / PhD ... - October 7th, 2022
- NIPD Genetics: Leading Genetic Testing Company - October 7th, 2022
- Skeletal Biology and Regeneration Students Recognized For Research Excellence - UConn Today - University of Connecticut - October 7th, 2022
- Mary Munson elected fellow of the American Society for Cell Biology - UMass Medical School - October 7th, 2022
- Every Body's Talking at Them: an Interview with Jon Lieff - CounterPunch - October 7th, 2022
- TriBeta invites students to explore opportunities to work with faculty at research fair on Oct. 11 - Ohio University - October 7th, 2022
- Genetics: the Vatican Does Not Intend to Be Behind the Times - FSSPX.News - October 7th, 2022
- Yield10 Bioscience Appoints Willie Loh, Ph.D., to the Board of Directors - citybiz - October 7th, 2022
- Molecular pathways of major depressive disorder converge on the synapse | Molecular Psychiatry - Nature.com - October 7th, 2022
- Sigyn Therapeutics Strengthens Board of Directors With the Appointments of Richa Nand, Jim Dorst and Christopher Wetzel - Yahoo Finance - October 7th, 2022
- UTHSC Researcher Co-Leads Study of Genes that Modulate Aging, Lifespan - UTHSC News - UTHSC News - October 7th, 2022
- GATC Health Investor Conference to Feature First Public Demonstration of Its AI Platform's Drug Discovery Capabilities - PR Newswire - October 7th, 2022
- Three Professors Conferred Tenure and Eleven Promoted - Wesleyan Argus - October 7th, 2022
- Who will get the call from Stockholm? It's time for STAT's 2022 Nobel Prize predictions - STAT - October 7th, 2022
- Dalhousie to present exhibition celebrating Gerhard Herzberg and his legacy - Dal News - October 7th, 2022
- Why Some People Should Rethink Their Morning Cup Of Coffee - Health Digest - October 7th, 2022
- Cell and Gene Therapy: Rewriting the Future of Medicine - Technology Networks - October 7th, 2022
- UofL researchers lead the call to increase genetic diversity in immunogenomics - uoflnews.com - July 6th, 2021
- In Brief This Week: Foundation Medicine, Myriad Genetics, Genetron Health, and More - GenomeWeb - July 6th, 2021
- More filling? Tastes great? How flies, and maybe people, choose their food - Yale News - July 6th, 2021
- Genetic mapping of subsets of patients with fragile X syndro | TACG - Dove Medical Press - July 6th, 2021
- What is The Babydust Method? Danielle Lloyd swears method helped her conceive girl - The Mirror - July 6th, 2021
- Datar Cancer Genetics joins hands with US based Iylon Precision Oncology to offer personalized Precision Oncology cancer treatment solutions - PR Web - July 6th, 2021
- Mapping a pathway to competitive production - hortidaily.com - hortidaily.com - July 6th, 2021
- Associations between pancreatic expression quantitative traits and risk of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. - Physician's Weekly - July 6th, 2021
- Global Genomics Market | Rising Incidence of Chronic and Genetic Diseases are Key Factors to Grow Market During 2021-2029 | 23andMe, Agilent... - July 6th, 2021
- The Babydust Method Danielle Lloyd used to conceive a girl after four sons and how it works - RSVP Live - July 6th, 2021
- In the beginning science and faith - The Irish Times - June 24th, 2021
- Ancient Maya Maintained Native Tropical Forest Plants around Their Water Reservoirs | Archaeology - Sci-News.com - June 24th, 2021
- Local foundation awards $1.25 million to MIND Institute to study rare genetic condition - UC Davis Health - June 24th, 2021
- Xlife Sciences AG: Collaboration with the University of Marburg - Yahoo Finance - June 24th, 2021
- Genetics diagnostics in India is on the verge of transformation: Neeraj Gupta, Founder and CEO of Genes2me - The Financial Express - June 24th, 2021
- Precision Medicine: Improving Health With Personalized Solutions - BioSpace - June 24th, 2021
- Half of Portland areas 22 top National Merit winners hail from just 2 schools - OregonLive - June 24th, 2021
- Investing in stem cells, the building blocks of the body - MoneyWeek - June 24th, 2021
- New study finds low levels of a sugar metabolite associates with disability and neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis - Newswise - May 14th, 2021
- Cernadas-Martn Is a Champion for Marine and Human Diversity | | SBU News - Stony Brook News - May 14th, 2021
- Four Penn Faculty: Election to the National Academy of Sciences - UPENN Almanac - May 14th, 2021
- Is there a difference between a gene-edited organism and a 'GMO'? The question has important implications for regulation - Genetic Literacy Project - May 14th, 2021
- 5 Students Inducted Into American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Honor Society - Wesleyan Connection - May 14th, 2021
- The Science of Aliens, Part 2: What Kind of Genetic Code Would Extraterrestrials Have? - Air & Space Magazine - May 14th, 2021
- UT Austin Faculty Member Receives 2021 Piper Professor Award - Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost - UT News | The University of Texas... - May 14th, 2021
- Distinguished University of Birmingham plant scientist elected to the Royal Society - University of Birmingham - May 14th, 2021
- Double Hoo Research: Undergrads and Grads Team Up to Create Knowledge - University of Virginia - May 14th, 2021
- Global Genetic Testing Market Top Countries Analysis and Manufacturers With Impact of COVID-19 | 2021-2028 Detail Analysis focusing on Application,... - May 14th, 2021
- Morag Park named to the Order of Quebec - McGill Reporter - McGill Reporter - May 14th, 2021
- Third Rock Ventures Launches Flare Therapeutics With $82 Million Series A - BioSpace - May 14th, 2021
- The Royal Society announces election of new Fellows 2021 - Cambridge Network - May 14th, 2021
- Researchers Decode the "Language" of Immune Cells - Technology Networks - May 14th, 2021
- RepliCel Launches the Next Stage of a Research Project with the University of British Columbia to Build World-Class Hair Follicle Cell Data Map -... - May 14th, 2021
- Mice Sperm Sabotage Other Swimmers With Poison | Smart News - Smithsonian Magazine - February 14th, 2021
- Study Identifies Never-Before-Seen Dual Function in Enzyme Critical for Cancer Growth - Newswise - February 14th, 2021
- Devious sperm 'poison' their rivals, forcing them to swim in circles until they die - Livescience.com - February 14th, 2021
- More needs to be done to find and fight COVID-19 variants, says Colorado researcher - FOX 31 Denver - February 14th, 2021
- Selfish sperm genes 'poison' the competition for the win - Big Think - February 14th, 2021
- Some sperm cells swim faster and even poison their competition to climb to the top - ZME Science - February 14th, 2021
- We are scientists: U of T researchers reach out to girls and women around the world - News@UofT - February 14th, 2021
- Mutations in frogs point to autism genes' shared role in neurogenesis - Spectrum - February 14th, 2021
- Global Genetic Testing Market Insights, Size Estimation, Research Insights, COVID-19 Impact and Future Trends By 2028 KSU | The Sentinel Newspaper -... - February 14th, 2021
- Acer Therapeutics Announces Topline Results from its Bioequivalence Trial of ACER-001 Compared to BUPHENYL Under Fed Conditions - GlobeNewswire - February 14th, 2021
- GeneSight Psychotropic Test's Combinatorial Approach Proves Better than Single-Gene Testing at Predicting Patient Outcomes and Medication Blood Levels... - February 14th, 2021
- Gu Ailing Eileen: I've learned to win for myself, not other people - Olympic Channel - February 14th, 2021