Deep Dive into Alpaca’s Nanobody Repertoire Identifies Potent SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizers

A man wearing a protective face mask walks past an illustration of a virus outside a regional science center amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Oldham, Britain August 3, 2020. (Reuters)
A man wearing a protective face mask walks past an illustration of a virus outside a regional science center amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Oldham, Britain August 3, 2020. (Reuters)
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Deep Dive into Alpaca’s Nanobody Repertoire Identifies Potent SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizers

A man wearing a protective face mask walks past an illustration of a virus outside a regional science center amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Oldham, Britain August 3, 2020. (Reuters)
A man wearing a protective face mask walks past an illustration of a virus outside a regional science center amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Oldham, Britain August 3, 2020. (Reuters)

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a novel strategy for identifying potent miniature antibodies, so-called nanobodies, against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

The approach led to the discovery of multiple nanobodies that in cell cultures and mice effectively blocked infection with different SARS-CoV-2 variants. The findings, which are described in the journals Nature Communications and Science Advances, could pave the way for new treatments against COVID-19.

“With the help of advanced laboratory techniques, we were able to identify a panel of nanobodies that very effectively neutralized several variants of SARS-CoV-2,” says Gerald McInerney, professor at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, and joint senior author of both studies.

Despite the roll-out of vaccines and antivirals, the need for effective therapeutics against severe COVID-19 infection remains high.

Nanobodies — which are fragments of antibodies that occur naturally in camelids and can be adapted for humans — are promising therapeutic candidates as they offer several advantages over conventional antibodies. For example, they have favorable biochemical properties and are easy to produce cost-effectively at scale.

In the now published studies, the labs of Gerald McInerney and Ben Murrell, also at MTC, identify several potent nanobodies derived from an alpaca immunized with SARS-CoV-2 antigens.

The first report in Nature Communications describes a single nanobody, Fu2 (named after the alpaca Funny), that significantly reduced the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in cell cultures and mice.

Using electron cryo-microscopy, the researchers found that Fu2 naturally binds to two separate sites on the viral spike, thus inhibiting the virus’ ability to enter the host cell.

This part of the study was conducted in collaboration with Hrishikesh Das and Martin Hällberg at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at Karolinska Institutet.

The researchers next delved deeper into the alpaca’s nanobody repertoire by combining a range of advanced laboratory techniques and computational methods, resulting in a library of nanobodies described in detail.

The results, presented in Science Advances, revealed additional nanobodies that in cell cultures and mice effectively cross-neutralized both the founder and beta variant of SARS-CoV-2 and even neutralized the more distantly related SARS-CoV-1.

“These nanobodies represent promising therapeutic candidates against several SARS-CoV-2 variants,” says first author Leo Hanke, a postdoctoral researcher who established the nanobody technology in the McInerney group.

The researchers are currently applying the same techniques to identify which nanobodies from this set are best able to neutralize Omicron, the now dominating SARS-CoV-2 variant.



SHAMS Engages Community with New Coral Initiative for Red Sea Protection

SHAMS Engages Community with New Coral Initiative for Red Sea Protection
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SHAMS Engages Community with New Coral Initiative for Red Sea Protection

SHAMS Engages Community with New Coral Initiative for Red Sea Protection

The General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS) is set to launch a new environmental initiative titled “Adopt a Coral” this Saturday. The initiative aims to involve community members in the restoration of coral reefs and raise awareness of the importance of their sustainability as part of national efforts to protect the Kingdom’s marine environment.

This initiative aligns with SHAMS’ goals of enhancing community partnership and increasing public involvement in marine conservation. It also supports Saudi Vision 2030’s sustainability objectives and complements national programs such as the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to reduce ecosystem degradation and preserve biodiversity, SPA reported.

SHAMS emphasized that the initiative is the result of years of field experience in coral reef restoration. The organization has demonstrated its capabilities in accurately identifying degraded reef areas using scientific indicators, developing innovative restoration techniques, and implementing long-term monitoring programs to assess ecological recovery.

The “Adopt a Coral” initiative offers various opportunities for public participation, including hands-on involvement in coral planting following specialized field training, attending awareness workshops and events that highlight threats to coral reefs such as climate change and marine pollution.

These opportunities empower the diving community to engage in reef monitoring and environmental advocacy, and foster a shared sense of responsibility by enabling individuals and groups to “adopt” coral as a symbol of ongoing environmental commitment.

The first phase of the initiative will be carried out at a designated coral reef site along the Red Sea coast, with participation from volunteers, divers, and environmental enthusiasts. SHAMS plans to expand the initiative in future phases to ensure long-term ecological impact and sustainable community engagement.

Coral reefs in the Red Sea are a vital artery for marine ecosystems, a rich source of biodiversity, and a key driver of economic and eco-tourism activity. In response to growing environmental challenges, the initiative emerges as a forward-thinking model of community engagement in the restoration of sensitive ecosystems. Through this program, SHAMS seeks to redefine environmental protection by directly connecting the public with the stewardship of this valuable natural resource.