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Use of Bacteria in Antibody Production. Robert Gallo. A big Problem…. There are many diseases in the world caused by pathogens that devastate many people each year, causing pain, financial loss, and death. A Solution….
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Use of Bacteria in Antibody Production Robert Gallo
A big Problem… • There are many diseases in the world caused by pathogens that devastate many people each year, causing pain, financial loss, and death
A Solution… • Use modified E. Coli to create antibodies for certain diseases ahead of time, so that an immune boost can be given via injection, or so a response can begin before it normally would.
Brief background on the Immune System • Your body makes antibodies to fight infections • Antibodies latch onto the receptors on pathogen to mark them for destruction by T-cells • Antibodies also can destroy some pathogens by themselves
How Antibodies are made • Antibodies are made in cells known as B-cells • The genes for antibodies are stored in 3 regions known as the IGH, IGK, and IGL chromosome regions • About 1,000 antibody genes code for 10 Billion Antibodies
Antibody diversity • To make so many antibodies, a process known as V(D)J Recombination occurs • In this, genes are recombined to make the desired antibodies
Engineered E. Coli Solution • First, Human Macrophages are introduced to a pathogen • Upon consumption, the macrophages display a signal on its surface telling the E. coli to begin antibody production • Normally, Helper T-cells receive the signal and send another one to B-cells
What the E. Coli does • Upon receipt of the signal from the macrophage via the T-cell receptor gene spliced in, the E. coli creates a signaling molecule that activates the antibody production genes and the V(D)J recombination gene that were also spliced in. • In addition, GFP will be made along with the antibody to demonstrate that the system is working
Testing • Everything must be tested! • 3 principle tests needed: • First, verify that the macrophages will still eat the pathogen and properly display its signal • Then, verify that the E. Coli interpret the signal correctly and produce antibodies • Last, verify that the antibodies do not cause an immune response
Problems • Probably a lot of bugs that need working out • Might cause an immune response • Probably very expensive in development and cost
Other Options? • Vaccines: They are the best option, as prevention is always better, but they are useless, if not harmful, after infection has begun • Antibiotics: They only work for bacteria, not viruses, but are effective and readily available. They also increase the risk of creating superbugs
Sources • ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26860 • newscientist.com • cellsalive.com/antibody • ebi.ac.uk • lifetechnologies.com • Registry of Standard Biological Parts • http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/RAG1 • TinkerCell • Wikipedia • https://www.pblassaysci.com/sites/pblassaysci/files/images/Antibody%20structure.jpg • http://www.smcm.edu/gambia/photos/vaccine.jpg • http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yy1sO-aDry0/TylPVEt1YVI/AAAAAAAAA0g/reR5WHr9Ur4/s1600/i_love_fixing_problems_sticker-p217445233701627500z85xz_400.jpg