Researchers developed a novel two-step targeting strategy to selectively deliver therapies to the brain by exploiting the high impermeability of the BBB. This approach allows for specific brain targeting with minimal accumulation in peripheral organs, paving the way for increased clinical translation of nanoparticle-based therapies.
The sVNT can detect functional neutralising antibodies (NAbs) in an hour, differentiating them from binding antibodies (BAbs), without live virus or biocontainment facilities. It has high specificity and sensitivity, making it accessible for research and clinical applications.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that immunity to influenza accumulates during childhood and declines after 40-50 years of age. The researchers developed novel metrics to define key features of antibody profiles, which provide valuable tools for analyzing complex immune responses.
A UCLA study reveals that COVID-19 antibodies decrease by roughly half every 36 days after infection in people with mild cases of the disease. This rapid decay raises concerns about the reliability of antibody tests and the potential impact on herd immunity and vaccine effectiveness.
Researchers studied convenience samples from 10 US geographic sites to estimate SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence. The study found varying levels of antibodies across different regions.
A replicating RNA vaccine has shown robust immune response in both young and old animal models, producing antibodies comparable to those in people recovering from COVID-19. The vaccine's design avoids immune responses that could exacerbate the virus, instead inducing protective antiviral measures and T cells.
A Chinese phase 2 trial found that a recombinant adenovirus type-5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine is safe and induces an immune response in over 500 participants. The trial, which evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine candidate, provides data on the efficacy of the vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Emerging evidence highlights T cells' role in protecting against viral infections, with antibody responses appearing short-lived and T cell memory potentially more durable. Standardized testing methods for T cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2 are needed to fully understand population-level immunity.
Researchers investigate how antibodies affect varying outcomes in coronavirus patients, with potential implications for vaccine efficacy and treatment approaches. The team aims to identify conditions under which antibody-dependent enhancement occurs and develop new assays for therapeutic antibody screening.
The PETA International Science Consortium Ltd. has co-launched a six-part webinar series focusing on the applications and benefits of animal-free recombinant antibodies for COVID-19 treatment and research. Experts from industry, government, and academia will share their work on human-relevant, non-animal testing strategies.
A new study from NYU Grossman School of Medicine researchers shows that the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine significantly reduces the incidence of congenital heart block (CHB) in newborn babies, a rare and sometimes fatal condition. CHB affects as many as one in 15,000 live births and is strongly linked to immune proteins in mothers.
Researchers at The Rosalind Franklin Institute have engineered llama antibodies that can bind to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, blocking its entry into human cells. These nanobodies show promise as a potential treatment for patients with severe COVID-19.
A fast-spreading mutation in the H3N2 flu subtype has effectively blocked antibodies from binding to a key viral protein, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study suggests that flu vaccines focusing on one protein may not be enough to protect against evolving viruses.
A study in ferrets and children aged 2-6 found that early influenza infections can alter the immune system's response to later strains. This priming effect may impact an individual's susceptibility to other strains.
A small variation in the novel coronavirus has made it fitter, resulting in a higher viral load, but does not make it more deadly. The G version of the virus dominates cases worldwide, suggesting it may be more transmissible.
A recent study by Monash University suggests that components within vaccines can play a major role in aiding the lifespan of individual plasma cells. This understanding could lead to the development of more effective vaccines.
Researchers discovered a protein called Pdap1 that supports B cells in producing effective antibodies while protecting them from cell death. The protein helps B cells cope with stress and promotes antibody gene diversification, ensuring a strong humoral immune response.
A Brazilian biotech startup is developing a low-cost, high-performance COVID-19 diagnostic test using only locally sourced inputs. The test uses a cell-free protein synthesis technology to accelerate and optimize protein production processes.
The study found that C. difficile massively activates a human enzyme called plasminogen to destroy gut tissue and spread infection. Researchers developed an antibody that prevents plasminogen activation, stalling infection progress and tissue damage.
A group of senior clinical academics and physicians express concern about the rapid roll-out of COVID-19 antibody testing in England, questioning its accuracy and relevance. They argue that large-scale testing is not clinically justified and risks wasteful use of resources.
Researchers estimate that the initial COVID-19 infection rate was undercounted due to testing issues and asymptomatic individuals. They found that excess ILI data showed a nearly perfect correlation with the spread of COVID-19, suggesting a much greater undiagnosed population than originally thought.
Two studies provide new insights into antibody testing and RNA testing for SARS-CoV-2. Researchers found that antibody tests are highly accurate, but repeat testing is necessary to confirm infection status. The gold standard rt-PCR test can detect current infection, but false positives can occur.
Testing is vital to identify cases, track superspreading events, and spot previously infected individuals. Innovative approaches are helping to overcome bottlenecks in testing efforts, with the US still struggling to match countries like New Zealand and South Korea.
A new system for detecting antibodies uses a microfluidic thread-based analytical device that relies on light-emitting sensor proteins held on a thread. The device can detect antibody levels within five minutes and does not require extensive handling and incubation steps.
The All of Us Research Program is leveraging its participant base to gather insights into COVID-19 through antibody testing, surveys, and electronic health record information. The program aims to shed light on the pandemic's spread and impact in the United States.
Patients with cervical cancer who produce antibodies targeting specific sugars on their cells appear to fare better when treated with internal radiation therapy. These antibodies also indicate a generally high immune competency, making them an indirect marker of antitumor immunity.
COVID-19 antibody tests measure antibodies produced by the body after infection, providing insights into community spread. While early tests had questionable accuracy, recent developments have led to more reliable tests with high sensitivities and specificities, offering a better understanding of long-term protection.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered that antibodies against one virus can make another more severe. However, a specific type of T cell can counteract this effect. The study suggests the need for future vaccines to elicit a balanced response from both antibodies and T cells.
A new ECL-based mechanism has been identified that enables quicker, more cost-effective and reliable serological tests. The technique enhances signal detection, allowing for increased sensitivity levels up to 128% compared to current methods.
Researchers have developed a more effective neutrophil depletion model that outperforms existing methods. This improvement enables scientists to study the role of neutrophils in various diseases, including COVID-19, with greater accuracy and precision.
A new blood test has been developed to detect recent Plasmodium vivax infections and identify individuals with hypnozoites, which can cause relapsing malaria. The test offers high sensitivity and specificity, and mathematical models suggest it could reduce P. vivax prevalence by 59-69%.
Researchers developed a technique to generate human antibodies faster than existing methods using chicken immune system cells. The ADLib system can produce diverse antibodies with improved binding affinity, potentially leading to breakthroughs in cancer treatment and other medical applications.
A new COVID-19 vaccine has demonstrated safety and a rapid immune response in a phase 1 clinical trial involving 108 healthy adults. The Ad5-nCoV vaccine produced virus-specific antibodies and T cells in 14 days, with the majority of recipients showing either a positive T cell response or had detectable neutralising antibodies against ...
Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a new method to detect anti-avian influenza virus antibody, which could be used to detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The technology uses a portable fluorescence polarization analyzer that can examine multiple samples and detect the antibody in just 20 minutes.
Serological tests provide snapshot of infection history and immunity in populations. However, they are insufficient for issuing 'immune passports' due to limited specificity, and may lead to biases in testing practices.
Antibody tests are good enough to monitor COVID-19 spread and guide policy decisions, but understanding test characteristics is crucial for accurate results. By fine-tuning existing tests, policymakers can make informed decisions about interventions and population protection.
Prellis Bio successfully generated 300 human IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV2, leveraging its Externalized Human Immune System technology. This achievement demonstrates the potential of the technology for rapid antibody production, reducing time to one month compared to traditional methods.
Serological assays detect SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in recovered individuals' blood, informing prevalence and immunity questions. Studies must better address the limitations of these tools to inform accurate decisions about deploying the workforce.
Researchers at EPFL have developed an algorithm to design artificial proteins that precisely guide the body's immune system to produce specific antibodies. The proteins were tested in animal models, triggering a strong immune response against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a leading cause of serious lung infections.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine tracked COVID-19 spread in a pediatric dialysis unit using antibody testing on patients, staff, and healthcare workers. The study found a high occurrence of COVID-19 antibodies among individuals interacting in the unit, suggesting that more healthcare workers may be antibody-positive.
Researchers stress importance of detecting neutralizing antibodies in recovered patients. Studies on animal models inform vaccine design to prevent severe disease and death. Professor Subbarao draws parallels between SARS and COVID-19 viruses.
A newly developed inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate protected macaques from infection and neutralized multiple virus strains without ADE risk. Clinical trials with the PiCoVacc are expected to begin later this year.
Cima Universidad de Navarra researchers have developed a novel method for detecting COVID-19, achieving over 95% sensitivity in asymptomatic cases. The platform uses a ribonucleic acid (RNA) extraction method that allows for large-scale processing of samples, enabling efficient testing of populations.
Researchers identified a significant fraction of antibodies expressed by B cell plasmablasts circulating after DENV infection, particularly in individuals experiencing their first infection. This finding holds promise for developing new diagnostic tools and a safe, efficacious dengue vaccine.
Researchers at Washington State University have identified a key protein in Borrelia burgdorferi that shields the immune system from fighting Lyme disease. By understanding this 'VlsE' protein, they hope to develop effective vaccines against the disease.
Researchers linked two llama antibodies to create a new antibody that binds tightly to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, blocking viruses from infecting cells. The team aims to conduct preclinical studies and eventually test the treatment in humans to develop a potential COVID-19 therapy.
A fast and sensitive antibody test for SARS-CoV-2 has been developed by researchers at the American Chemical Society. The test can accurately diagnose COVID-19 cases and monitor patient recovery in just 10 minutes.
Researchers have developed synthetic antibodies using bacterial superglue that can neutralize potentially lethal viruses like bunyaviruses. The antibodies were combined to form complexes that efficiently protected mice from the viruses.
A RIKEN research team developed a new 3D staining technique that can visualize whole organs and bodies. The technique allows for detailed anatomical analysis and whole-organ comparisons between species at the cellular level.
A new diagnostic strategy has been developed by Brazilian researchers to detect biomarkers of early-stage multiple sclerosis. The method uses a nanobiosensor that can accurately identify specific antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid and blood serum, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers have identified a promising new strategy for combating malaria by targeting the parasite's 'kill switch' with PfGARP antibodies. The approach, which involves generating anti-PfGARP antibodies or directly infusing them into individuals, has shown promise in nonhuman primates and holds hope for preventing severe malaria.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London have discovered a link between a specific immune system protein and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Treating mice with an antibody that neutralised the protein reduced anxiety levels, suggesting a potential new treatment for human patients.
A new diagnostic method for allergic rhinitis has been developed using nasal smears, providing a gentle alternative to blood tests. The method detected identical allergic sensitization patterns in both blood and nasal secretions for a wide range of airborne allergens.
Researchers have developed an antibody treatment that improves survival in rodent models of sepsis by targeting a protein called tetranectin. The therapy boosts survival even when started late after sepsis onset, suggesting its potential for treating severe bacterial infections and secondary sepsis in COVID-19 patients.
Scientists at the University of Leeds and AstraZeneca developed a technique to screen antibody fragment susceptibility to aggregation caused by structure disruption much earlier in drug discovery. This approach increases the chances of success by selecting protein sequences that can withstand industrial-scale manufacturing stresses.
The study found significant increases in antinuclear antibody prevalence in the US population, particularly among males and adolescents. The researchers suggest changes in lifestyle or environment may be involved in these increases.
A study conducted in northwestern São Paulo found that nearly a third of the population under 40 lacked immunity against measles, with only 1% over 50 showing similar results. Vaccination remains essential in preventing transmission and controlling outbreaks.
A new vaccine candidate, PittCoVacc, has generated a surge of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 within two weeks of injection. The vaccine follows a more established approach, using lab-made viral protein pieces to build immunity, and is delivered through a novel microneedle array that can be manufactured at scale.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab have discovered a natural mosquito-killing compound that could lead to safer and more effective anti-mosquito products. Researchers have also made progress on developing fast-charging batteries and created a new library of artificial antibodies with molecular precision.
Researchers discovered that jawless and jawed vertebrates share similar immune receptor gene structures despite independent evolution. The findings provide insight into the evolution of the adaptive immune system and its importance for human health.