Essex researchers develop AI-redesigned intrabodies targeting Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and motor neurone disease proteins
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University of Essex researchers develop AI-redesigned antibody fragments that remain stable inside human cells and target proteins linked to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and motor neurone disease. The team converts 672 antibodies into intrabodies and publishes the work in Nature Communications.
Key Facts
- University of Essex researchers converted 672 different antibodies into AI-redesigned intrabodies that target disease-related proteins inside cells.
- The research was led by Dr Caitlin O'Shea and Dr Gareth Wright from the School of Life Sciences and funded by the MND Association.
- The team identified electrical charge as the key factor determining whether antibody fragments remain stable and functional inside cells.
- The study was published in Nature Communications and the redesigned molecules will be made freely available to other scientists.
- The intrabodies target proteins linked to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's and motor neurone disease.
Intrabody Redesign
Researchers at the University of Essex worked with an international team to create antibody fragments that can be produced directly inside human cells. Ordinary antibodies generally function outside cells, while the redesigned fragments, called intrabodies, are engineered to remain stable within them. The team discovered that electrical charge is a key factor in determining whether antibody fragments can remain stable and functional inside cells. Using AI-powered protein redesign, the researchers converted 672 different antibodies into intrabodies capable of targeting important disease-related proteins. The software used in the redesign was developed by Nobel Prize winner David Baker and his group.
Disease Targets and Access
The intrabodies attach to proteins associated with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's and motor neurone disease. Lead author Dr Caitlin O'Shea, who specialises in MND and Parkinson's disease, led the research with Dr Gareth Wright. Dr O'Shea said the team looked at the properties of millions of antibodies and compared them with human proteins found inside the cell. Antibodies usually have the wrong charge to exist inside cells without sticking together. Following publication in Nature Communications, the redesigned molecules will be made freely available to other scientists.
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Essex researchers develop AI-redesigned intrabodies targeting Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and motor neurone disease proteins
