AI-designed “intrabodies” could unlock new treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and MND
Researchers have developed a new way to turn ordinary antibodies into tiny disease-fighting molecules that can work inside human cells, potentially opening new paths for treating Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease, and motor neurone disease.
Researchers at the University of Essex have created microscopic "intrabodies" using artificial intelligence that could revolutionize treatments for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and motor neurone disease (MND). These tiny antibody fragments, unlike traditional antibodies that function outside cells, can remain stable and functional within human cells, targeting disease-related proteins directly.
The breakthrough was made possible by understanding the electrical charge necessary for the intrabodies to remain functional inside cells, a property discovered using AI. This discovery allows scientists to repurpose millions of existing antibodies for laboratory use and potential treatments. The research, funded by the MND Association, has been published in Nature Communications and the redesigned molecules will be freely available to other scientists.
If successful, this approach could provide new ways to study and treat neurodegenerative diseases, which affect tens of millions of people worldwide and currently have no cures.
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