Antibody Cocktails Can Stop Viruses in Their Tracks

Topic: Biology

Scientists from Harvard University have found a way to design antibody cocktails that can prevent viruses from mutating and becoming resistant to vaccines. They call this method 'fitness landscape design' (FLD). The team tested their approach on two types of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.

A new study from Harvard's Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology suggests a way to stop viruses from mutating into dangerous variants. Researchers led by Eugene Shakhnovich and Vaibhav Mohanty designed a method called fitness landscape design (FLD) that can engineer the evolutionary landscape of viruses.

The team used a biophysical model to understand how a virus's surface protein binds to human cell receptors and antibodies. They then translated this information into infection probabilities and growth rates. This allowed them to design antibody combinations that make most escape routes unviable for the virus.

To test their approach, the researchers applied it to two types of viruses: murine norovirus and SARS-CoV-2. The model's predictions closely matched the experiments in both cases. They found that by choosing the right combination of antibodies, they could suppress the mutations they were worried about and prevent the virus from spreading.

The scientists are excited about their discovery because it could help us stay ahead of viruses like SARS-CoV-2. The World Health Organization updates flu vaccines twice a year, but surprise strains still emerge. This new approach could change that.

Why It Matters

This breakthrough is important for India because it could help the country prepare for future pandemics and protect its citizens from deadly viruses.

Key Facts

• The study was led by Eugene Shakhnovich and Vaibhav Mohanty from Harvard University's Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.
• The researchers developed a method called fitness landscape design (FLD) to engineer the evolutionary landscape of viruses.
• They used a biophysical model to understand how a virus's surface protein binds to human cell receptors and antibodies.
• The team tested their approach on two types of viruses: murine norovirus and SARS-CoV-2.
• Their method could help us stay ahead of viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and prevent future pandemics.

Key Terms

fitness landscape design (FLD)

A method to engineer the evolutionary landscape of viruses by designing antibody combinations that make most escape routes unviable.

Implications

This breakthrough is important for India because it could help the country prepare for future pandemics and protect its citizens from deadly viruses.