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07/08/21
13:48
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Originally posted by logco
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His eyes are to close together.
Therapeutic application in view
The Göttingen team is currently preparing the nanobodies for therapeutic use. Dobbelstein emphasizes: “We want to test the nanobodies as soon as possible for safe use as a drug so that they can be of benefit to those seriously ill with COVID-19 and those who have not been vaccinated or cannot build up an effective immunity.” The team is supported by experts in technology transfer: Dieter Link (Max Planck Innovation), Johannes Bange (Lead Discovery Center, Dortmund, Germany), and Holm Keller (kENUP Foundation).
The receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 is known to be a good candidate for a protein vaccine but so far difficult to manufacture economically on a large scale and in a form, which activates the immune system against the virus. Bacteria programmed accordingly produce incorrectly folded material. The Göttingen researchers discovered a solution for this problem: They identified special nanobodies that enforce correct folding in bacterial cells, without obstructing the crucial neutralizing part of the receptor-binding domain. This might allow for vaccines that can be produced inexpensively, can be quickly adapted to new virus variants, and can be distributed with simple logistics even in countries with little infrastructure. “The fact that nanobodies can help with protein folding was previously not known and is extremely interesting for research and pharmaceutical applications,” Görlich says.
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Haha
I look forward to future options of vaccines and treatments. This whole sorry saga is far from over but we will get there in the end. Hopefully with full immunity and no repercussions from the choices we make or don’t make in the interim.