Engineering antibodies to block viruses

Scientific knowledge of our complex immune system has flourished over the past two decades. Our scientific progress, catalysed by fundamental research, is now being applied to treating infections, immune-mediated diseases and cancer. Immunotherapies are coming to the forefront as a way to manipulate our immune system for our benefit. While standard drugs targeting the immune system remain an important component of clinical medicine, doctors are excitedly adopting so-called biological therapeutics or biologics due to their higher precision and lower side effects. And scientists in Malta are playing a role in this process of discovery.

Chief among the biologics are engineered antibodies. We produce antibodies naturally to fight off pathogenic organisms, in response to infection or vaccination. Antibodies are proteins possessing the ability to bind the surfaces of foreign organisms entering the body. They coordinate the immune system’s defences against invaders. Inspired by nature, scientists have been exploring ways to manufacture antibodies for the treatment of complex human diseases.

Four Nobel prizes awarded for the research and manufacture of antibodies are testament to this...