Structural+Bio+Research
A set of links and topics in the applications of antibodies
Gold Shells
Antibodies used to target cancer cells. Antibodies delivered gold shells which were then heated up using near-infrared-light. 100% of cancer cells destroyed.
Journal reference: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (vol 100, p 13549)
Abgenix's Xenomouse
A gentically altered, and gentically stable strain of mice that produce completely human antibodies. Once can infect the mouse with a pathgen, let it become symptomatic and produce antibodies. These antibodies can then be used in humans to give resitance.
http://www.abgenix.com
Oncolytic's Reovirus
They have a virus that destroys only cancer cells. If this is to be used as weapon, the patient's immune system must not destroy it before it has a chance to fight the cancer.
Catalog
A catalog of companies working on theraputics antibody development
HIV
A vaccine that targets dendritic cells is being used in the first human trial in Africa.
Dendritic Cells
Dendritic cells are the gateway between infective agentsand the adaptive immune system. They patrol the bodylooking for disease causing agents. When dendritic cellsencounter a pathogen, they engulf it and presentfragments of it on their surface. Dendritic cells then moveto lymph nodes where they interact with and activateT-cells by presenting the foreign antigen to them. Recentlyit has become clear that dendritic cells are importantregulators of immune function; the signalling factorsthey secrete (cytokines) control both local inflammatoryresponses and modulate T-cell responses. Serious researchon dendritic cells has only become possible in the past fewyears as they have previously been difficult to select andgrow in the laboratory.
Rabies
Human antibodies for rabides grown in tobacco plants. Previously, antibody must be donated from another human or a horse that has successfully defeated rabies. The new process will alleviate scarcity issues as well be considerably cheaper.