Research Explorer

Project

Enabling antibody prophylaxis of the elderly and vulnerable using yeast-based biotechnology.
Code
01C05820
Duration
15 April 2020 → 14 January 2021
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Infectious diseases
    • Virology
  • Engineering and technology
    • Medical molecular engineering of nucleic acids and proteins
Keywords
SARS-CoV-2 antibody prophylaxis affinity maturation production in yeast
 
Project description
 

Vaccines against respiratory viral infections are likely to lack full efficacy in the most vulnerable aged population group. In this project we develop a yeast-based, cost-effective and highly scalable prototyping-and manufacturing technology for highly potent virus-neutralizing VHH-Fc anitbodies with
engineered prolonged halflife. Such passive immunization strategy complements vaccination-based approaches during peak periods of infection risk. This technology complements the antibody discovery
efforts that are ongoing in collaboration with the Saelens lab.