SAB NewsAntibody InsightsPosted 7/28/2004 The Science Advisory Board recently launched a study to characterize life science researchers' use and application of commercial antibodies. By focusing on the following key areas, we were able to profile the needs and wants of the typical scientist who uses antibodies in his or her research:
Although there were many thoughtful and inspiring responses -- over 1000 people contributed to this study -- here is what our $20 American Express Gift Cheque winners had to say: "Next-generation experiments to match advantages of antibodies coupled to nanoparticles, e.g. paramagnetic beads, can exploit improved versatility in methods to sort cells and molecules. Other nanoparticles, e.g. quantum dots, can provide fluorescent stability that is advantageous in more complex biological situations, especially cell-cell interactions and the fate of transplanted cells. Combined, one can anticipate improved methods for isolating specific subsets of cells from a tissue and subsequently gain an improved understanding of how different cells modify each other's behavior in multicellular environments." --Jorge, Principal Investigator, Europe "Recent research (June 2004) at the Rice University in Houston shows that when nanoparticles of a certain composition are injected into a malignant tumor in mice and the tumor exposed to harmless infrared light, the nanoparticles heat up really fast and burn the tumor locally within minutes. So, it is not very difficult to imagine that in the near future, therapeutic antibodies tagged with such nanoparticles would deliver the nanoparticles into the desired area. The nanoparticles could be the kind described above or they could be catalytic devices that interact with proteins or DNA and show specific effects. They could also be drug delivery agents that deliver a labile drug wherever the antibody takes them. For the purpose of fundamental research, the same principles would apply, and using these unique reagents, a whole new range of research methodologies could be developed to understand biological functions at the molecular level. Since my current interests are signal transduction and transcriptional regulation, I could envision using catalytic nanoparticle tagged antibodies for specifically and effectively knocking out signaling molecules and transcription factors at a given time point. I could use tracer nanoparticles to trace the organ, tissue and cellular localizations of proteins on a real time basis. I could also envision numerous other uses like study of chromosome structure, protein-protein interactions and protein purification." --Vashisht, Post Doctoral Fellow, North America "For immunoelectron microscopy, nanogold-conjugated secondary antibodies have been successfully used especially for the preembedding techniques. Additional nanoparticles that can be used for either scanning or transmission electron microscopy would be very helpful." --Chang-Sub, Professor/Teacher, Asia *************** Please click here to read your colleague’s comments as to how they believe the “next-generation” of conjugated antibodies (i.e., antibody conjugates coupled to nanoparticles) can advance research. **Interested in learning how your colleagues are using antibodies in their research? Click below to read summaries of our past Studies as well as profiles from our Member Spotlights. Studies The Tools and Techniques of Protein Science: Protein Expression and Purification The Tools & Techniques of Drug Discovery: Bioassays Clinical Proteomics Protein Purification Member Spotlights Tracing Tumor Development Through Analytical Chemistry Techniques Ed Nice, LRIC A Member Since April 2002 Though residing in Australia, Ed Nice hails from England where he was educated at Dulwich College Preparatory School and Emanuel School, Wandsworth Common (which dates back to 1594) before attending Sir John Cass College, University of London. Professor Nice was awarded a LRIC (Licentiate of the Royal Institute of Chemistry). Dedicated to Ensuring Ethical Treatment of Patients in Cutting-Edge Clinical Trials Rita Zambelas A Member Since April 2002 Trained as a nurse, Rita Zambelas was attracted to clinical trials research in first oncology and then heart disease because she was able to take part in cutting-edge research that offered innovative therapies and treatments to end-stage patients. BIOENTREPRENEUR SERIES Translating Discoveries into Medical Technology Daniel J. Kenan, M.D., Ph.D. Scientific Co-Founder, Affinergy Because Drs. Kenan and Grinstaff had so many ideas about improving materials used in surgical and medical devices, they felt they would be too limited by the academic environment. |
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