A simple method to design antibodies aimed at combating Alzheimer's disease has been developed by scientists.

Once an antibody is bound to its target, the immune system sends cells to destroy the invader. Finding the right antibody can determine the difference between death and recovery.
When trying to design an antibody, the arrangement and sequence of the antibody loops is of utmost importance. Only a very specific combination of antibody loops will bind to and neutralize each target.
With billions of different possible loop arrangements and sequences, it is seemingly impossible to predict which antibody loops will bind to a specific target molecule.
The new antibody design process was used to create antibodies that target a devastating molecule in the body - the Alzheimer's protein.
The research, led by Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering Peter Tessier, uses the same molecular interactions that cause the Alzheimer's proteins to stick together and form the toxic particles that are a hallmark of the disease.
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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.
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The study has been published in the Early Edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Source-ANI