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News & Insights

5 min read

The Delta Variant Furin Domain Mutation Favors Greater Infectivity

By Dr. John Kenney on Oct 7, 2021 2:40:51 PM

The Delta variant has quickly become the predominant strain of SARS-CoV-2. Based on molecular modeling studies, Antibody Solutions was one of the first to propose that the earliest variant, D614G, was more transmissible by promoting furin processing, a key step in virus infection. Consistent with our modeling results, it was later found that a spike protein construct containing the G614 mutation was more susceptible to S1/S2 cleavage by furin. Subsequent SARS-CoV-2 variants have continued to possess the D614G mutation, including the two variants of greatest concern today: Alpha and Delta.

Topics: Covid SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Modeling Antibody Discovery COVID-19
6 min read

Functional Assays: Narrowing the Field from Binders to Therapeutic Candidates

By Joshua Lowitz on Jun 28, 2021 10:10:52 AM

Candidate ID: How to go from hits to lead candidates

We tend to think of antibodies as being defined by their specificity and affinity to a particular antigen. Of equal importance, however, are the functional activities of an antibody upon antigen binding. All are valuable to the discovery of therapeutic antibodies, where the goal is to have a drug that can react with a specific disease target and modify its role in the disease. We describe in this post the types of assays and strategies used to identify the most promising therapeutic antibody candidates.

Topics: Antibody Discovery Therapeutic Targets Immunoassays Functional Assays
4 min read

Peptides: The Less-is-More Strategy for Success

By Jennifer Somera on May 6, 2021 6:56:44 PM

A strategic approach to peptide design yields success

When deciding which antigens to use for an antibody discovery project, there are many available options. Peptides, which have been around for at least 60 years, are one way in.  Other — and, in many cases, newer — available paths include recombinant proteins, engineered cells and DNA coding for the protein. 

Topics: News Insights SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Discovery Peptides
7 min read

Animals are Still Vital for Antibody Discovery

By Dr. John Kenney on Apr 5, 2021 5:36:54 PM

If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that major biological threats can emerge seemingly out of nowhere, causing death and disruption on a global scale. We watched the international scientific community combine all its forces to quickly and effectively mount a response to the novel biological threat of SARS-CoV-2. Key to that response was the immunization of animals, enabling the generation of reagent and therapeutic antibodies as well as development of vaccines. It was an accelerated, and very public, demonstration of the power of in vivo antibody generation that has been applied to discover therapies for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other ailments.

Topics: Insights Antibody Discovery