http://news.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=2959Researchers Design Alzheimer’s Antibodies
A Surprisingly Simple Method To Target Harmful Proteins
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a new method to design antibodies aimed at combating disease. The surprisingly simple process was used to make antibodies that neutralize the harmful protein particles that lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
The process is reported in the Dec. 5 Early Edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The process, outlined in the paper, titled “Structure-based design of conformation- and sequence-specific antibodies against amyloid β,” could be used as a tool to understand complex disease pathology and develop new antibody-based drugs in the future.
…
Scientists have long sought methods for designing antibodies to combat specific ailments. However, the incredible complexity of designing antibodies that only attached to a target molecule of interest has prevented scientists from realizing this ambitious goal.
…
Alzheimer’s disease is due to a specific protein – the Alzheimer’s protein – sticking together to form protein particles. These particles then damage the normal, healthy functions of the brain. The formation of similar toxic protein particles is central to diseases such as Parkinson’s and mad cow disease.
…