AI-designed “intrabodies” could unlock new treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and MND

Researchers at the University of Essex have created microscopic medicine fragments using artificial intelligence, potentially unlocking new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and motor neurone disease. By using AI to redesign antibody fragments, the scientists made them stable within cells, allowing them to target disease-related proteins directly.

The key to this breakthrough was understanding that electrical charge is crucial for antibody fragments to remain stable and functional inside cells. This new approach could provide scientists with a novel way to study and potentially treat these diseases by acting within living cells, where many biological processes begin. The redesigned molecules will be made freely available to other researchers.

Dr. Caitlin O Shea, who specializes in MND and Parkinson's disease, explained that the team looked at millions of antibodies and redesigned them to have the right charge for intracellular stability, using software developed by Nobel Prize winner David Baker. Dr. Gareth Wright, who led the research, emphasized the potential implications for diseases affecting millions of people worldwide, noting that current treatments lack cures and finding molecules that interact with disease-causing proteins in their native environment is a major challenge.

The MND Association praised the findings, highlighting their potential for new therapeutic strategies using intrabody science and emerging gene therapy techniques.