Immunology
Quantitative image analysis provides confidence in drug development
Olga Kubassova, PhD, CEO of Image Analysis Group, spoke with ScienceBoard.net about how computational analysis is improving clinical trial imaging. Read More
Leveraging optofluidics to make therapeutic antibody discovery easier
The need for speed and accuracy in the development of therapeutic antibodies has prompted Berkeley Lights to upgrade its optofluidic tools to help customers improve the quality of their therapeutic antibody products. John Proctor, PhD, senior vice president of antibody therapeutics at Berkeley Lights, spoke with ScienceBoard.net about some technological advancements the company has recently launched. Read More
Preparation is key for postdocs to transition to industry positions
Postdoctoral positions are a natural choice for many scientists who have just received their PhDs. Postdocs allow scientists to gain invaluable research experience and training under guided mentorship -- and potentially transition to industry jobs, explains Natalia Martin, PhD, a program manager at the American Chemical Society. Read More
Tiny mechanical forces can have a massive effect on T-cell activation
A new study reveals how tiny forces between T cells and their targets can help to jumpstart protective immune responses. Research published in Nature Communications on May 4 uses cutting edge microscopy techniques to track the association and dissociation between T cells and antigens. Read More
Hope for next-gen COVID-19 vaccines may rest in an unexpected region of the virus
Researchers further elucidated how antibodies produced in people who effectively fight off SARS-CoV-2 work to neutralize the part of the virus responsible for causing infection. The study, published in Science on May 4, describes how antibodies targeting sections of the virus outside of the receptor-binding domain may be useful in the development of vaccines and therapies. Read More
How one cell transplant platform is poised to tackle complex diseases
Lineage Cell Therapeutics CEO Brian Culley discusses the company's cell therapy technology with ScienceBoard.net. The technology involves the transplantation of differentiated stem cells as part of an off-the-shelf allogeneic cell therapy. Read More
How the South African SARS-CoV-2 variant evades antibodies
Computer modeling has demonstrated that one of the three mutations of the South African SARS-CoV-2 variant reduces its ability to bind to human cells. The results, published recently in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, also suggest that the mutation may help it escape some therapeutic antibodies. Read More
Naturally occurring molecule helps SARS-CoV-2 evade neutralizing antibodies
Researchers have identified naturally occurring molecules that are created from the breakdown of hemoglobin and block the binding of a subset of human antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. The discovery, published in Science Advances on April 22, may help explain why some COVID-19 patients can become severely ill despite having high levels of antibodies against the virus. Read More
Cell-free technique could enable on-demand vaccine production
A new cell-free synthetic biology technique that increases the volume of membrane components in the manufacture of conjugate vaccines can significantly improve the efficiency of vaccine production, according to a new method published in Nature Communications on April 22. The technology could enable on-site production of vaccines and therapies, enabling them to be more efficiently distributed in areas where they are most needed. Read More
Variant-resistant COVID-19 vaccines could be effective, cheap to make
Researchers have collaborated to create a new COVID-19 vaccine platform containing antigens against the fusion protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that could be effective against variants of the virus. The research was published online on April 15 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Read More
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