World's first plastic antibody works in mice

This might not sound like much but is potentially awesomely cool. It could revolutionise many aspects of medicine and research.

World's first plastic antibody works in mice

Quote

Antibodies made entirely from plastic have saved the lives of mice injected with bee venom – the first time such a strategy has worked in live animals.

Researchers developing the antibodies say it is the first step towards customised antibodies for a host of other medical applications, from treating people who have been poisoned to combating infection.

Natural antibodies are made by the body's immune system to lock onto a specific "antigen". Likewise, the plastic antibodies contain cavities moulded in exactly the right shape to capture target molecules, in this case, melittin – the active agent in bee venom.

Kenneth Shea of the University of California at Irvine led the team which made melittin antibodies through a process called molecular imprinting. They used a catalyst to stimulate polymers to form around molecules of bee venom, then dissolved away the venom itself, leaving empty cavities with the exact shape to trap melittin.

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Topic: World's first plastic antibody works in mice

osmanthus

OP - June 15, 2010, 02:52 AM

RIBS

Reply #1 - June 15, 2010, 04:12 AM

osmanthus

Reply #2 - June 15, 2010, 04:16 AM

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Reply #3 - June 15, 2010, 04:53 AM

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