Loading Curie Briefs...
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Scientists at the University of Essex used AI to redesign antibody fragments — called intrabodies — that can survive and function inside human cells, targeting proteins linked to neurodegenerative diseases. By cracking the code of electrical charge, they converted 672 antibodies into cell-stable intrabodies. The breakthrough, published in Nature Communications, could unlock new treatments for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and motor neurone disease.
Scientists at the University of Essex have used artificial intelligence to engineer a new class of microscopic medicines called "intrabodies" — tiny antibody fragments redesigned to survive and function inside human cells. Unlike conventional antibodies, which work outside cells, these intrabodies can target disease-causing proteins right where the trouble starts, deep within neurons.
The key insight? Electrical charge. The team discovered that standard antibodies clump together inside cells because they carry the wrong charge. Using AI software developed by Nobel Prize-winning scientist David Baker, researchers redesigned the fragments to carry the right charge, making them stable intracellularly. In total, they converted 672 different antibodies into functional intrabodies targeting proteins linked to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and MND. The redesigned molecules will be made freely available to researchers worldwide following publication in Nature Communications, and experts believe they could be combined with gene therapy to hit specific molecular targets inside neurons.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: There are no cures for any of the major neurodegenerative diseases. This AI-powered platform offers a scalable, novel approach to drug discovery that could accelerate the path to treatments for conditions affecting tens of millions globally.
